Moffat Mungazi
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
AFTER a period of uncertainty, festive rains have brought new hope and revitalised farming activities in Manicaland, though agronomists and farmers expressed mixed fortunes regarding the rainfall distribution pattern and intensity across the province.
The rains have brought relief mostly to farmers in the windward side, where they will also have a positive impact on livestock, boosting grazing pastures, replenish water points and improving dipping operations, ultimately saving many cattle from poverty and disease-related deaths.
However, farmers in rain shadow and low-lying areas in the province are reportedly facing a contrasting reality, helplessly watching their crops wilt and livestock die in the scorching heat.
Devastating effects of the 2023/24 El Niño-induced drought is taking a severe toll on cattle – with an average of 700 beasts reportedly starving to death per week between November and December 2024, especially in Chipinge, Chimanimani and Mutare districts.
Farmers in Nyazura, Headlands, Rusape, upper Chipinge, Chimanimani, Odzi, and parts of Mutasa, who were struggling with dry conditions earlier in the season, are ecstatic about the current rains, believing they will continue until February, and significantly boost crop yields.
As farming activities pick up in these areas, expectations are to increase planting and production of maize, groundnuts, millet, sorghum, cowpeas, sugar beans, round nuts, sunflowers which are widely produced and consumed in the province.
Agriculture is the backbone of Manicaland’s economy, and the rains have brought the much-needed boost to the province, whose current food deficit situation is dire, having been exacerbated by the devastating 2023/24 El Nino-induced drought that ravaged crops, especially maize, before reaching maturity, leaving thousands of citizens reliant on food aid from the Government and its development partners.
About 459 000 households, emerging from the toxic El Nino-induced drought in the province have benefited under the Pfumvudza Programme, and working around the clock to meet the provincial target of 1 355 970 plots (84 613 hectares).
Pfumvudza was also adopted as a measure to ensure household food security, while adopting smart interventions in the face of climate change.
This drastically reduced climate change drought impacts of hunger and starvation as farmers who adhered to recommended Pfumvudza protocols got more yields, and solved glitches of low productivity than those who partially adhered or did conventional farming.
According to the Meteorological Services Department, the rains provide ideal conditions for planting cereals, with farmers being advised to go for ultra-early maturing varieties that mature within 90 to 115 days.
The MSD’s forecast for the 2024/25 rainy season is quite promising, despite the initial sub-season from October to December 2024 was largely characterised by truant rains.
As at December 31, 2024, the department predicted normal to above-normal rainfall for the December-January-February sub-season, which is great news for farmers.
Mr Clemence Mucharedzeyi, an agronomist with SeedCo, urged farmers to plant ultra-early maturing varieties and traditional grains like sorghum, millet, finger millet, cowpeas, and sugar beans, which are, not only drought-resistant, but also rich in nutrients.
Mr Muchemedzeyi also urged farmers to conduct early and continuous weeding within two to three weeks after planting to prevent competition for water and nutrients.
He said farmers should regularly inspect their crops for pests and diseases, and use the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, including crop rotation, biological and chemical control while adhering to recommended application rates and safety precautions.
“Given the current rainfall and the fact that it is almost mid-season, farmers are urged to plant their cereals, including maize, sugar beans and sorghum as some areas have not yet received sufficient moisture. For maize, we recommend ultra-early maturing and early maturing varieties for those relying solely on rainfall. Farmers with supplementary irrigation may still plant medium maturing varieties. Those intending to plant winter wheat should opt for early maturing varieties. Sugar bean is a crucial crop to grow, given the shortage experienced last year. Farmers who planted crops earlier should maintain weed-free fields, and utilise the current moisture to apply top-dressing fertiliser to their crops. It is also essential to monitor pests and apply pesticides in a timely manner,” he said.
Tobacco Farmers Union Trust president, Mr Victor Mariranyika said the current wet spell is welcome to farmers at different stages of production.
“To those who had not planted tobacco, we encourage them to continue planting as the combination of wet conditions and high temperatures prevailing are ideal for plant growth. Every drop counts, let us put it to best use,” he said.
However, Tobacco Association of Zimbabwe vice-president, Mr David Mutasa expressed concern over the rain distribution pattern and intensity, despite the recent rainfall.
“The rains have been very erratic, and you will find out that just a few kilometres from an area that has received rain, it is completely dry. The distribution and intensity is poor, and farmers should avoid planting long-season varieties, even if they have irrigation, as most farm dams are virtually empty. Normally, by this time, farm dams will be full, but they are completely dry,” he said, noting that availability of electricity posed a significant challenge to farmers with irrigation systems due to excessive load shedding.
Mr Mutasa said planting long-season varieties when rains are erratic poses significant dangers as crops may fail due to inconsistent moisture, leading to economic losses.
“Water stress reduces yields, affects quality, and increases pest and disease pressure, and farmers risk losing entire harvests, compromising their livelihoods. It is crucial to opt for short-season or drought-tolerant varieties to mitigate these risks and ensure a more resilient harvest. Electricity often becomes available as late as 10pm, and that is when farmers are expected to irrigate for two to three hours before the power goes out again. This is particularly challenging for crops like tobacco, which require a constant water supply,” said Mr Mutasa.
