Widespread showers, which may be thundery in places, are expected throughout the country with heavier falls expected in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South and some areas along the main watershed, the Meteorological Services Department has said.

This comes as agriculture experts have urged farmers to start planting as soon as they receive effective rains.

The Grain Marketing Board has also revealed that distribution of inputs is in full swing with 50 percent of Pfumvudza seed and 40 percent of basal fertiliser having been distributed to farmers.

The weather is expected be hot and humid in most areas to the north of the main watershed; northern parts of the Midlands (from Kwekwe to Gokwe), Harare Metropolitan and all Mashonaland provinces.

Agriculture expert, Mr Ivan Craig, yesterday said farmers should plant after receiving effective rains.

He said farmers with irrigation facilities could plant and irrigate for proper germination.

“The season is upon us and farmers can start planting as soon as they get effective rains which is 22 mm and above good enough to germinate maize and 30mm good enough to germinate soyabeans and other hard coat seeds,” said Mr Craig.

“In the beginning of the season, farmers should plant long season varieties and as we move into third week of November, they should plant medium to short season varieties.” Mr Craig said farmers could use rain gauges to check on the rainfall volumes.

“If a farmer does not have a rain gauge he or she can test the moisture of the soil by digging with a hoe, take the soil and squeeze it in the palm,” he said. “When the palm is opened, if the ball breaks it shows the soil does not have enough water for germination and if it does not break then the farmer can plant.

“If the water comes out from the soil, it means the soil is too wet for planting and a farmer can wait for some few days before planting.

“When the soil is too wet it forms a crust and this means emergence of crops will be compromised.”

Mr Craig advised farmers not to buy inputs from unregistered retailers as they could buy fake seed, fertilisers and chemicals.