Poor spatial rainfall distribution to affect food security

ACCORDING to the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) of Zimbabwe, most of the areas in the country received accumulated rainfall of at least 100mm by end of December 2022, with much of the country receiving between 200mm and 300mm.

However, there has been poor spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall, especially in December.

When compared to the long term average, the greater part of the country received between 75% and 125%, which is considered typical.

Prolonged midseason dry spells were reported in the beginning and middle of December 2022.

Small pockets in Chiredzi, Tsholotsho, and a few other locations in the vicinity of Harare are below average.

Water Retention Satisfaction Index (WRSI) is an indicator of crop (or rangeland) performance based on the availability of water to the crop during the growing season using rainfall and evapotranspiration rates.

According to WRSI, crop condition in the northern parts of the country was mainly average and mediocre in the southern parts.

Government has set a target of 1 940 969 hectares (ha) under maize at an estimated production of three million tonnes for cereals an increase from the 1,8 million tonnes from the previous season and also adequate to cover 2,2 million tonnes required for human and animal consumption.

Different financing schemes and input provision programmes have been set in motion across the country.

The area planted to maize by end of December was estimated at 892 965ha an increase of 63% compared to 549 470ha during the last season (Ministry of Agriculture, 2022).

Government distributed approximately 66% of maize seed and 88% of basal fertiliser under the Pfumvudza/ Intwasa programme which targets mainly rural communal farmers, which has seen an improvement in access to appropriate seeds and inputs by communal farmers.

On-farm-based casual labour opportunities are gradually improving with the scaling up of farming activities.

This is likely to lead to an improvement in income for households that are able to access such opportunities.

Compound D and AN fertilisers were selling at an average price of $46 082/50kg bag and $56 688, respectively, in December, representing an increase of 46% and 25%, respectively, from the November prices of $31 500 and $45 500.

When compared to the same time last year, the price of Compound D and AN increased by an average of 821% and 530%, respectively.

With the ongoing rainfall activity, the availability and quality of pasture and water for cattle is improving.

This has led to improvements in livestock conditions.