Melinda Kusemachibi
The rains that fell over the past few days may have damaged some crops but farmers throughout the province have highlighted that the late rains are a blessing in disguise to some of their crops.
A farmer in Zaka district identified as Simbarashe Muzenda said that though the rains have come a bit late, with potential to decay some of their harvests, they are a blessing in disguise as they will sustain moisture for crops that desperately needed moisture.
“The showers are expected to benefit some crops but may cause considerable damage to other crops. Crops that will benefit include late-planted maize and cotton that had been destroyed by the drought. The extra moisture will prolong the ripening period and will increase potential yields,” said Muzenda.
Another farmer in Masvingo rural, Tariro Chibato said that groundnuts and roundnuts are most likely going to decay due to excessive moisture.
“Groundnuts face the danger of unseasonal sprouting. The rains may also complicate soya beans harvesting. The showers however are not expected to prolong the growth period for grazing but will certainly slow down the rate of evaporation, which was high in February and March,” added Chibato.
Zaka Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) officer Kennedy Pedzisai said the rains received are very much important as some crops will benefit from the rains.
“The rains received are very important since vegetable production will take up very well. Crops such as cowpeas and sugar beans will benefit from the rains. The veld will improve due to the rains received. Winter wheat land preparation will go on well without the need to water the land,” said Pedzisai.
Mwenezi District Agritex Officer Jemitias Denhere said these recent rains are going to improve the green pastures for livestock and also make availability of water to livestock easier.
“These rains are going to improve pastures for livestock, make water easily accessible to livestock and prepare for sugar beans planting. Otherwise, most farmers are going to suffer some yield loss due to post harvest losses especially on mature sorghum and pearl millet already on drying racks,” said Denhere.
Farmers in Masvingo were worried about the persistent dry spell that rocked the province as most crops that have reached maturity stages succumbed to the effects of the searing heat, hence putting expectations of a bumper harvest in jeopardy.
After experiencing a likely normal rainfall pattern in the past months, there has been an uneasy calm in the march of the monsoon. With no rains, moisture in the soil was reduced, upsetting the water budget in the soil.
The early summer maize crops were at critical tussling stage but wilting due to moisture stress has also started.
Although both the veld and livestock in most parts of the country are still in fair condition, grazing pastures generally have lost much of their nutritive value. Cattle are expected to start losing weight earlier this dry season than last year.
Water supplies remain fairly good throughout the country, but there maybe problems of shortages towards the end of the dry season in September and October.
