Normal to above-normal rainfall still expected 

Source: Normal to above-normal rainfall still expected | The Sunday Mail

The Government has taken steps to ensure timely access to tillage services

Theseus Shambare

THE Meteorological Services Department (MSD) still expects Zimbabwe to receive normal to above-normal rains during the summer cropping season.

Some media reports had indicated that the La Niña weather phenomenon, which is forecast to bring good rains this season, had weakened.

However, MSD head of forecasting Mr James Ngoma told The Sunday Mail that they were optimistic that the country would still get normal to above-normal rainfall.

“There is no need to panic,” he said, adding: “We are still expecting what we predicted at the start of the season. If you check our seasonal forecast, we said that we will get normal to below-normal rains in the October-November-December period. As the season progresses, we still expect normal to above-normal rains.”

The MSD’s forecast aligns with recent projections from the Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum.

In a separate interview, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira said a historic summer cropping season is on the cards, as the bulk of inputs have been distributed to farmers.

“Generally, all Grain Marketing Board depots have received close to 60 percent of inputs. We now have most of the fertilisers, limes, seeds and chemicals at the GMB depots countrywide. We are already prepared,” said Deputy Minister Marapira.

The Government, he said, has also taken steps to ensure timely access to tillage facilities.

“AFC and ARDA (Agricultural and Rural Development Authority) provide the much-needed tillage facilities for small-scale, medium and large-scale farmers. We already have more than 50 percent in Pfumvudza rolling.”

Coming out of a devastating El Niño-induced drought last season, Zimbabwe has set a target of reaching 3,5 million rural and peri-urban households under this year’s Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, with inputs allocation being guided by ecological regions.

To ease the workload on farmers, especially the elderly, the Government is encouraging the adoption of more mechanised implementation of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme.

The Government has since facilitated the distribution of two-wheeled tractors to farmers under various bank loan facilities.

Deputy Minister Marapira also emphasised the importance of livestock development, given challenges faced in the previous season.