Check weather forecasts regularly, farmers urged

THE Meteorological Service Department here has advised farmers to make constant checks with weather forecast to improve production.

The Met Department said it was now using advanced equipment that give accurate weather forecasts that farmers should use to maximise yields.

Provincial chief meteorological officer for Midlands Province Mr Tafirenyika Zinyowera said with the rainy season was now in full swing and that it was important for farmers, especially those in flood-prone areas to always be on the alert.

“We are now using what we call automatic weather station which is accurate on all (weather) parameters which are pressure, wind, temperature, humidity and visibility,” he said.

“The new equipment is certified by the International Organisation for Standardisation ( SIO) and we are confident as well that it brings the best results, we have been using it and the results are have been getting are very accurate.” Mr Zinyowera said the Met Department was now using both the old manual system and the new automotive system to ensure the results were accurate.

“The weather forecast is very informative and now very accurate,” he said.

“Its now up to the farmers to make use of these daily weather forecasts that the met department releases so as to plant their farming and season.”

The latest technology was installed at Charles Prince Airport in Harare and Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base, formerly Thornhill Airbase, in Gweru and was procured from France.

Mr Zinyowera said the other new weather station was also installed in Bulawayo.

Recently, the Met Department unveiled a disaster alert technological system to discern important information to villagers.