Rains give farmers hope

RECENTLY received rains have given farmers in Manicaland Province hope of improved yields despite the amounts being lower than those recorded during the same period last season. According to statistics from Agritex, Manicaland had received 110mm of rainfall as of January 2, down from 220mm recorded in the same period last season.

Agritex provincial head coordinator Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa said 40 percent of farmers in the province have already planted crops this season compared to 60 percent last season.

She said the rains had brought hope to farmers whose crops had been affected by high temperatures over the past weeks.

“After a prolonged dry spell which hit the country for the past two weeks, leaving crops at wilting point, farmers can now breathe a sigh of relief,” she said.

“So far 40 percent of farmers have planted their crops with the early rains in December and we are hoping that the wet spell and moisture will continue so that farmers increase production to boost food security.”

Mrs Rwambiwa urged farmers to plant a variety of short seasoned crops.

“Indication are that we are going to have less yield this season due to unfavourable climatic conditions and high costs of inputs, which are limiting farmers to produce at a large scale,” she said.

She said areas in Region 1, which includes Nyanga, Chipinge and Chimanimani were likely to receive more rainfall in Manicaland.