Farmers in some parts of Mashonaland West are fretting over some of their crops that are showing signs of moisture stress due to a week-long dry spell.

The farmers have called on Government to prioritise development of irrigation to counteract the effects of drought.

The affected districts are Sanyati, Makonde, Zvimba, Hurungwe, Mhondoro-Ngezi and parts of Kariba, which perennially experience low rainfall.

The Meteorological Services Department  (MSD) has forecast some moisture coming into the country from Mozambique and Zambia, which is expected to ease farmers’ concerns.

“Isolated light showers fell along the main watershed,” said MSD in a statement.

“Moisture is infiltrating the country from both Zambia and Mozambique, and should spread to cover most areas along and to the north of the main watershed.”

Sunny and humid conditions with brief cloudy periods and scattered thunderstorms are expected in Matabeleland North, north of Midlands, Bulawayo and Harare, Manicaland and the Mashonaland provinces.

Federation of Young Farmers Club of Zimbabwe board member and Doma farmer Mr Tapiwanashe Chikondowa said some crops were beginning to show signs of moisture stress.

“Maize is almost at waist level and it has been a week now since we received any rain,” he said. “The crops need rains.”

Mr Chikondowa said weather patterns had become more irregular and Agritex needed to strengthen its farmer advisory role to ensure people plant in time.

“One major problem has been limited investment in infrastructure, including irrigation, solar-powered pumping and modern farming equipment,” he said.

“This should be a matter of priority. Even if it means cutting down on the input scheme programme and developing infrastructure.

“That will be the best way to go. Climate change is for real.”

Agritex, Mr Chikondowa said, should study regional climate trends and advise farmers on things like dates to plant, types of crops to plant, while every farmer needs to grow small grains.

Some farmers are said to have stocks of inputs such as fertilisers, seed and chemicals which they did not use owing to uncertainty over the weather.