Wet spell adds impetus to winter wheat preparations

Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter

Land preparations for winter wheat are progressing well, with farmers capitalising on the moisture brought by recent rains.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri indicated that everything was now in place for the winter cropping season.

He said the Government had mobilised 14 000 tractors and 300 combine harvesters for farmers and it was time to scale up land preparations so that planting commences this month.

“Farmers should ensure that planting commences on time hence a need to upscale land preparations. Over 14 000 tractors to cover one million hectares will be available,” he said.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president Dr Shadreck Makombe said this is the right time for farmers to finalise preparations so that they start planting the crop.

“Farmers should scale up land preparations taking advantage of the current moisture. They should do preparations early to avoid disasters that transpired last season since more wheat was affected by rains,” he said.

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has also assured water users that dams have sufficient water to meet the 120 000-hectare winter wheat target, adding that the authority has put in place measures to ensure a successful winter cropping season.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Meteorological Services Department said for most of this week scattered thunderstorms are expected in Matabeleland North, Bulawayo Metropolitan, northern parts of Midlands, Harare Metropolitan, Manicaland, and all Mashonaland provinces, with localised downpours.

“It should be cloudy, humid, and warm by day, becoming mild towards evening.

“Moisture in the western part of the country, combined with hot daytime conditions, resulted in scattered thunderstorms over Bulawayo Metropolitan and both Matabeleland provinces. Victoria Falls received the highest (30mm), followed by Bulawayo (25mm). 

“This moisture is slowly drifting eastwards into the interior of the country.

“Masvingo, Matabeleland South, and southern districts of Midlands will have partly cloudy and mild morning conditions, becoming hot by afternoon. 

“An odd shower remains probable,” said the department.