The Sunday News
MATABELELAND North, which is in the country’s Meteorological Region 2, is set to experience a challenging 2015-16 farming season, as experts have predicted that it was the only region set to receive normal to below normal rainfall throughout the farming season.
Zimbabwe has three meteorological regions namely Region 1 which comprises Harare, most parts of Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, north-eastern parts of the Midlands and parts of Manicaland and Met Region 2 which covers Matabeleland North and parts of Midlands and parts of Mashonaland West surrounding areas.
Met Region 3 covers Matabeleland South, Masvingo and parts of Manicaland provinces.
In an interview, Matabeleland South chief meteorological officer Mr Rogers Munyira said throughout the whole season, the entire Matabeleland North and the surrounding areas were likely to experience a poor rainy season compared to other regions.
“According to our report, there are 40 percent chances of getting normal rainfall in Matabeleland North which is in Region 2. The region will be the hardest hit because it is continuously going to have normal to below normal rainfall and there is never be a time where it is going to be normal to above normal throughout the whole 2015-2016 season,” said Mr Munyira.
He said in other two regions, there were times when they were going to experience normal to above normal rainfall.
“In Matabeleland South, between October and December, it starts to be normal to below normal but later it will be normal to be above normal. When the seasons is about to end, in February, it becomes normal to below normal and it’s punctuated by poor rains,” he said.
“In Mashonaland it starts with normal to below normal rainfall pattern but later on becomes normal to above normal.”
Mr Munyira reiterated that there was a high likelihood of a late start to the rainy season across the country.
“There is going to be high likelihood of late start of the rainy season and short rainy season across the whole country hence an option for small grains and short season variety,” said Mr Munyira.
He also recommended the use of irrigation technology.
Last season, Zimbabwe reportedly received normal to above normal rainfall, but could achieve optimum crop production because of poor distribution.
This affected crop production and the country is now expected to import 700 000 tonnes of maize from the neighbouring countries namely Zambia and South Africa to meet the deficit.
