Agriculture Reporter
The country is expected to start receiving rains next week, the Meteorological Services Department said yesterday.
This comes as the early planted crops are wilting.The Met Department said there were no signs of rains this week and the country may receive insignificant rains starting Monday.

MSD forecaster, Ms Lucy Samvura Motsi, said the rains were expected to intensify from December 13 onwards.

“There is no chance of rains until Monday next week. From Tuesday, there are chances the rains will start increasing to above 8,5mm.

“Mashonaland, Manicaland and some parts of Midlands are likely to receive rainfall of above 8,5 mm from December 11 onwards,” she said.

Principal meteorologist, Mrs Linia Gopo, said although the country has received insignificant rains from October to December, there were possibilities there would be normal rains with a bias towards above normal rainfall during the period in terms of the amount received.

“Despite the fact that the bulk of the country is still in the below normal rainfall range, the forecast update is still in the normal to above normal range for regions one, two and three,” she said.

Meanwhile, farmers who planted early may have to replant as some crops have been affected by the dry spell.