Early crops a write-off in Chipinge: ZFU

The Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union has said crops planted in the first half of the season have been affected by dry spells in the early stages and most farmers are likely to experience significant losses. In an interview, ZFU Manicaland provincial manager Mr Daniel Mungazi said Chipinge District had already appealed to Government for food aid as a result of at least three successive droughts in some areas.

He said in areas such as Birchnough, Marange and parts of Bocha, farmers were still planting as their usual routine was disturbed by lack of rainfall.
He said irrigated crops were in good condition.

“Planting is still in progress in some areas due to lack of significant rains, so we still have areas where we are yet to receive rains,” said Mr Mungazi.

Musikavanhu constituency legislator Cde Joshua Murire told The Herald that farmers in the area had only managed to plant 10 percent of their fields, but the majority of the crop was a write-off.