No to planting yet, says MSD

Charity Chikara, Sunday News Reporter

THE Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has warned of thunderstorms in Bulawayo, Matabeleland, Midlands, Harare and Mashonaland East provinces while farmers in most parts of the country have been advised not to panic in the wake of  rains that have been received so far as they do not signify the commencement of the planting season.

Instead, they have been encouraged to continue with land preparation for the climate proofed agriculture scheme whose inputs are being distributed by the government. 

In an interview, the Chief Director Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri said the rains recorded so far in most parts of the country do not signify the start of the farming season and urged farmers to continue with land preparation.

“We have seen that it has been raining across the country but these are not effective rains so we expect farmers to continue preparations, stock inputs and carry on with Pfumvudza/Intwasa pot-holing,” he said.

Prof Jiri’s counsel comes amid forecasts by MSD indicating different rainfall patterns for the country’s ecological farming regions with the department’s head of forecasting Mr James Ngoma saying farmers should take note of their soil types and the kind of crops suitable for them. He advised farmers in areas with soil types that require less rainfall to liaise with Agritex officials for further instructions since the country has received light showers.

“Some areas are swampy and require small amounts of rainfall, like the light showers and their season kicks off, while others are clay soils and require a lot of water, if not a totally different crop compared to maize. Some localised areas have received notable rains, and in consultation with Agritex farmers can use the advice from these officers to enhance their farming productivity,” he said.

He further highlighted that rainfall received across the country had generally been light except for very few parts of the country which have experienced downpours. 

“Rainfall has generally been light across the country. However, a few localised downpours have occurred in areas far and wide for example Chishawasha (182mm), Beitbridge (72mm), Victoria Falls (89mm), Chisengu (67mm); and as can be noted these areas are highly spaced,” he said. 

The MSD has predicted thunderstorms in the Matabeleland region, Midlands, Harare, Mashonaland East and Bulawayo. 

According to the MSD, the national seasonal rainfall forecast for October to December indicates that Region I and II of the country have increased chances of getting normal to below normal rains while Region III has increased chances of receiving normal to above normal rains during the same period.

Region I forms most parts of Manicaland province. Region II has two parts, A, which occupies part of Mashonaland West, part of Mashonaland Central, part of Mashonaland East and the whole of Harare province, while Region II B occupies parts of the following provinces namely, Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, and Mashonaland Central. Region III is found in parts of the following provinces, Midlands, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Manicaland, Masvingo, and Matabeleland North. 

Bulawayo province falls under Region IV. The greatest portion of Masvingo province is in Region V, with half of Matabeleland South in Region V, which also has parts of Matabeleland North, parts of Midlands, parts of Mashonaland West, and parts of Manicaland. 

For the November, December and January (NDJ) rainfall outlook, Region I, II and III have increased chances of getting normal to above normal rains. 

The January, February March rainfall outlook Region I has increased chances of receiving normal to above normal rains while Region II and III are expected to experience above normal to normal rains.