Online Reporter
Nyasha Simbisai, Agriculture Hub
TRADITIONAL grains and early planted crops have not been affected much by the recent dry spell, which left most of the rain-fed maize showing signs of moisture stress and wilting.
This comes as the return of widespread rains across Zimbabwe has significantly improved crop conditions in most farming regions, bringing relief to farmers who had been grappling with a mid-season dry spell that threatened yields.
Maize has been the most affected crop by the dry spell, while legumes and early-maturity sorghum varieties proved more resilient.
Yield prospects for sorghum remain favourable, particularly in Region IV areas.
Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, said meaningful precipitation recorded from last Friday had revived crops that were showing signs of wilting due to intense heat and moisture stress.
“Rains have come back and many places received good showers nationwide. Crops that were experiencing wilting during the heat and dry spell are now recovering well,” said Prof Jiri.
He noted that while most areas had benefitted, a few districts such as Mbire, Beitbridge and parts of the Midlands Province were yet to receive adequate rainfall.
“However, we anticipate that by the end of this week most of these areas would also have received meaningful rainfall, further strengthening crop performance,” he said.
Prof Jiri emphasised that farmers who adhered to agro-ecological matching principles and planted early were less affected by the dry spell, underscoring the importance of climate-smart agriculture.
“Those who agro-matched their crops to their respective regions and planted on time were not significantly affected. The most affected crops are largely from areas where agro-ecological principles were not fully observed,” he said.
Mangwe District agronomist, Ms Phanankosi Sibanda, said crops had also rebounded after rains resumed last Sunday, following a dry spell that stretched from January to mid-February.
“Farmers are battling quelea birds, which are causing damage in this district. Authorities are monitoring the situation to minimise losses, especially in small grain fields”, said Ms Sibanda.
In Ward 7 of Bindura, Mashonaland Central, farmers reported improved crop vigour following substantial rainfall over the weekend.
A1 farmer Mr Stanley Mkombozi said the area recorded 65 millimetres of rain on Saturday and 20 millimetres on Sunday, restoring soil moisture at critical growth stages.
“We had a crisis during the dry spell and we had seen our crops failing. However, the rains came back and now we are anticipating better yields,” he said.
Despite the seasonal fluctuations, no crop write-offs had been recorded in the district.
In Seke District, farmers reported a difficult season marked by excessive rainfall earlier on, followed by nutrient leaching and a three-week heat-induced dry spell during the early reproductive stage of crops.
A1 farmer Mr Edmond Mataruse said prolonged cloud cover and persistent rains earlier in the season affected crop growth, but recent showers had helped stabilise conditions.
“Those who planted short-season varieties will likely have a good harvest, but the long-season varieties may not make it,” he said.
Seke Ward 14 Agricultural Business Advisory Officer (ABAO) Ms Tecla Zura confirmed that yields in the area were expected to be below initial projections due to leaching and mid-season heat stress.
“We started receiving rains from late October to mid-January continuously, which made field operations difficult and caused fertiliser leaching. Then the rains stopped during early reproductive stages and heat affected maize for about three weeks,” she said.
She noted that tobacco performed well despite the erratic weather, with many farmers currently already curing their crop.
Despite regional variations, national authorities remain optimistic that the restored rainfall pattern would stabilise crop growth, particularly maize and small grains at critical vegetative and reproductive phases.
“With the rains now back and forecasts indicating continued precipitation until the end of the season, we expect improved yields in line with our projections,” said Prof Jiri.
While some areas anticipate yields below initial expectations, especially where planting was delayed or long-season varieties were used, early planters and farmers who adopted region-specific crop choices are expected to secure favourable harvests.
The latest rainfall developments have renewed optimism for household and national food security as Zimbabwe moves towards the final stages of the cropping season.
