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Bulawayo Bureau
Farmers countrywide should take advantage of the widespread rainfall activity being experienced in most provinces to start planting and work hard on the fields to ensure attainment of a bumper harvest, Government has said.
Official reports suggest that more than three million farmers had prepared over nine million Intwasa/Pfumvudza plots on more than 600 000ha while winter wheat farmers have successfully harvested their crops, which are now ready for the market, thereby removing any fears of loss of harvest due to rains.
Most parts of the country have been experiencing increased rainfall activity in the past few days although few areas have received rains in Matabeleland North.
Giving an update on the farming activities, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Dr Obert Jiri, said farmers can either dry plant or use rains starting now.
“The rainy and planting season has started. We received rainfall activity in most areas and these places that have received at least 20mm of rainfall should proceed to plant,” he said.
“If you see that you have rainfall that is effective, there is no need to wait. Some farmers can also start dry planting, it’s also allowed and economically good.”
Dr Jiri said rainfall activity was increasing each day and is predicted to spread going into next week. As such, he said there is no reason for farmers not to start planting.
The ministry’s chief director for Agricultural Advisory Rural Development Services, Mr Leonard Munamati, said the Meteorological Services Department has predicted a start of widespread rainfall across the country.
“So, farmers are encouraged to make sure they start planting as soon as they start receiving rainfall. What is quite exciting is that farmers have been preparing their Intwasa plots and to date we have recorded 9.6 million plots that have been prepared by farmers in provinces,” he said.
“The initial target was nine million so we are quite excited as that gives an area of 601 000ha that has been done by slightly above three million farmers who have put plots.
“So, we want to encourage farmers to realise that the importance of Intwasa/Pfumvudza also lies not only in potholing but mulching to conserve moisture,” said Mr Munamati.
He encouraged farmers to use herbicides as soon as they plant to control weeds.
Farmers in Matabeleland North have not started planting as they continue preparing plots. Most are also worried about draught power as cattle are in a bad shape owing to drought, and pray the rains come in time to replenish pastures and water supply.
Said acting Chief Mvuthu: “Farmers have not started planting but I think the authorities are right when they say we should start now. However, many will delay because fields are not fenced while the livestock is in bad shape. All I can say is let’s be ready and plant where we can,” he said.
A farmer from Jambezi, Mrs Mavis Moyo, said she had prepared and dry planted millet and prayed it rains in time.
“I prepared Intwasa plots and planted a long season variety of millet. I am still debating on my bigger plot, which I put manure in and I think it doesn’t need dry planting, I will wait for rains,” she said.
However, the province has completed winter harvesting and farmers have been urged to expedite the delivery of the cereal to Grain Marketing Board depots, allaying fears that the rains could have potentially damaged the crop.
Matabeleland North acting Agritex provincial director Mr Thulani Ndlovu said while a small number of farmers are still packaging their wheat for delivery to GMB depots, no farmer still has the crop in the fields.
“Winter wheat harvesting in the province is complete and the only hurdle that a few farmers are facing is delivering their produce to GMB depots,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Online Reporter