Rains boost for Lowveld farmers

HEAVY rains received across the Lowveld have given hope to cotton and small grain farmers whose crops had been seriously affected by the dry spell.

In an interview with The Herald yesterday, National Chairman of the Cotton Producers and Marketers Association Mr Steward Mubonderi said the rains had revived their crops, with cotton now flowering.

“We are delighted by the rains, which continue to fall in most of parts of the Lowveld. Our members in Chiredzi, Checheche, Ngundu and Mwenezi had lost hope of a good harvest after their crops had wilted due to the prolonged dry spell,” he said.

“The heavy rains have however revived our hopes of producing a bumper harvest this year. If you look at the fields, cotton is flowering, many (cotton) balls are developing and we are very optimistic of a better harvest than last season.” he said.

The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe availed inputs to over 80 000 cotton farmers who have 1ha plots in the south-east Lowveld.

The region is targeting to produce 25 000 tonnes of cotton this season.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union Masvingo provincial manager Mr Jeremiah Chimwanda also expressed hope for a better season.

“More land has been devoted towards small grain production in the Lowveld,” he said.

“Farmers are also taking advantage of the availability of rains, which are being received in the province, to increase their hectarage. In areas like Chikombedzi, Gezani and Malipati, most farmers started planting last week and their target is producing small grains since the rainfall patterns are now erratic,” said Mr Chimwanda.

Last year Chiredzi produced a significant hectarage of small grains, which are still being delivered to the local Grain Marketing Board depot.