Wet spell raises farmers’ expectations

IT’S early days yet but rains received in the past two weeks may produce better agricultural output than what had been initially envisioned. Farmers are smiling and this is a good sign.

Significant improvement in crops and the general condition of livestock has been recorded in many parts of the country where it has been raining almost everyday over the past fortnight. Most crops and flora look greener and healthier.

Prolonged dry conditions that preceded the wet spell led to fears the country could be headed for another devastating drought that would significantly cut crop output.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president and chairperson of Forum of Farmers’ Unions

Mr Shadreck Makombe hoped the rains would “last long”.

“We had lost hope due to the drought that had hit Zimbabwe. It was affecting our produce,” said Mr Makombe.

“However, now that the rains have resumed we have seen quite an improvement in our crops and even in livestock there is a great development. The rains are quite pleasing and we hope that they will last long,” he said.

There is growing expectation that farmers would be able to salvage reasonable harvests as most crops had reached temporary wilting stage.

According to the ZCFU, some farmers have begun replanting short-season varieties.

“Some farmers have resorted to seeding short-season crops because we are being told that the rains will last until April,” said Mr Makombe.

Before the beginning of the 20192020 summer cropping season farmers were urged to plant more drought-tolerant varieties to beat the drought that was forecast.

Last year, the Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring Initiative (GEOGLAM) released a special report which predicted that the entire Southern African region would receive below-average rainfall that was likely to affect crops and reduce yields.

The organisation was formed to increase market transparency and improve food security by producing and disseminating relevant, timely and actionable information on agricultural conditions and outlooks of production.

Further, predictions issued by climate experts at the 23rd Southern African Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SACORF-13) held in Angola in September, indicated that the bulk of SADC was likely to receive normal-to above-normal rainfall for most of the period from October to December (OND) 2019.

Zimbabwe National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) chief executive officer Mr Edward Dune said farmers had to apply top-dressing fertiliser to boost yields.

“A great improvement is now evident in terms of crop vigour. Farmers are encouraged to continue split application of top-dressing to counter nitrogen leaching if we are to meet the target of feeding our great nation,” he said.

“Zimbabwe still needs more rains to replenish its water table and to enable sustainable rural development. Enough rain means a balanced rainfall distribution pattern, which already has not been the case this season.

“So we can no longer talk about reaching the national target this season, but if we manage to get a good season we can produce for domestic and export markets provided other factors are equal,” added Mr Dune.

Meteorological Services Department deputy director Mrs Linia Gopo told The Sunday Mail that the country was likely to experience a brief break in rainfall activity.

“A significant reduction in rainfall is expected, it is a break, but something could come up next week (this week) around Tuesday or Wednesday, so we cannot say the rains are not going to last,” she said.

“The break is mostly for the southern provinces of the country. Other areas should have rainfall — though reduced in amounts — till the weekend.”