Rains bring relief to farmers

FARMERS in the Midlands heaved a sigh of relief last Friday after the province received rains following weeks of a dry spell.

Last week, farmers raised alarm, bemoaning lack of rains as crops began to show signs of moisture stress.

Midlands provincial crop and livestock officer Mrs Madeline Magwenzi had hinted farmers on clay and sandy soils would lose out if the dry spell continued for another week.

Farmers who spoke to The Herald yesterday said rains brought relief to them.

“My maize crop was now looking bad but thanks, the gods have smiled at us. I was beginning to contemplate replanting but the fact that my crop was still at an early stage, the rainfalls came just at the right time,” said Mr Rabson Muwani of Gokwe.

He said the rains have brought joy and farmers were now busy working in their fields.

Mr Gerald Mathonsi said Mberengwa district received low rainfalls. He said the majority of farmers were still to plant.

“We received some showers following weeks of dry spell but it’s promising and we hope we will receive rains in the coming few days because the majority of farmers here yet to plant,” he said.

Mrs Magwenzi said the province was targeting to plant 20 000 hectares of maize, up from last year’s 17 000.