Source: Expect normal but late rains: Met – DailyNews Live
Bridget Mananavire 4 September 2017
HARARE – Zimbabwe is set to receive normal rains in the 2017/18 season,
but they will be falling late, the Meteorological Services Department
(Met) has predicted.
The rainfall patterns are divided into two sub-seasons – October to
December 2017 and January to March 2018.
“Using statistical, other climate prediction schemes and expert
interpretation, the climate scientists determined likelihoods of above
normal, and below normal rainfall for each area, that is,
October-November-December (OND) and January-February-March,” said Met’s
Zimbabwe National Outlook Forum in a report.
“Region one; Harare, much of Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West,
Mashonaland Central, north-eastern parts of Midlands, most of Manicaland
have an increased chance of above normal rainfall,” the report said.
“Region two, which includes the greater part of Matabeleland North, parts
of Midlands and parts of Mashonaland West have an increased chance of
normal to below normal rainfall. Region three, Masvingo, the bulk of
Midlands, the extreme southern parts of Manicaland and the bulk of
Matabeleland have an increased chance of normal to below normal rainfall.”
“October rains are generally erratic for rain-fed agriculture, more
meaningful rains should begin in November. It would be prudent to put in
place measures for early cloud seeding programme in light of expected slow
start of the season particularly in regions two and three,” it read.
“Flash flood and cyclones are likely as the season progresses,” the report
warned.
“The seasonal rainfall predictions will be updates on a monthly basis
beginning end of October. In addition there will be daily weather and
10-day weather bulletins that will take into account any changes. It is
commendable that agricultural inputs have already been distributed to most
regions.”
Agricultural economist and consultant Peter Gambara said farmers should
plant early to improve their yields.
“A big lesson is that maize planting should start early for several
reasons. Firstly, long season maize varieties that were distributed last
season have yield potentials of up to 16 tonnes per hectare. Many farmers
contracted last season can dream of getting anywhere near such yields if
they start planting as early as October. Secondly, it was difficult for
most farmers who planted long season maize varieties to harvest on time
and then plant winter wheat as maize moisture content was still high,”
Gambara said in an opinion published in one local weekly newspaper.
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