Erratic Rains Prompt Farmers to Start Planting Crops
Gibbs Dube
31.12.2012
Though field conditions remain drier than normal for this time of year,
erratic rains have prompted many communal farmers in Matabeleland, Masvingo
and other regions to start planting crops.
Everson Ndlovu, a development and relief aid worker in Tshelanyemba communal
lands, Matabeleland South Province, says some farmers in the region are
taking advantage of the rains to plant maize and drought tolerant crops such
as sorghum and millet.
A Gutu farmer, who asked to be identified as Mukoma Mike, says most farmers
in Gutu District, Masvingo Province, remain confident that they will have
good harvests this season despite the late rains.
According to the government’s Meteorological Services, some parts of
Zimbabwe are expected to receive above normal rains this season.
However, Meteorological Services Department director Tichaona Zinyemba
declined to comment on the rain outlook, saying he is on leave.
Zimbabwe’s cabinet recently revised upwards the number of people in the
country who are likely to need food assistance from 1,6 million to 2
million.
The Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZIMVAC) had originally
estimated that over 1.6 million people would be food insecure between
January and March next year, the peak hunger months in the country.
The hardest hit areas are Masvingo, Matabeleland North and South, and – most
worryingly – the normally food secure Mashonaland Central Province.
The United Nations World Food Program says the deteriorating food situation
was caused by erratic rainfall and dry spells, limited access to
agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilizer, a reduction in the planted
hectarage, poor farming practices and inadequate crop diversification.
This year’s cereal harvest was 1,076.772 metric tonnes – one third lower
than that of last year and the lowest since 2008.
To meet the increased needs, the WFP and its partners would undertake food
distribution with regionally procured cereals as well as imported vegetable
oil.
The organization has a food budget deficit of $87 million after setting
aside $119 million for food aid.