THE Meteorological Services Department has warned of tough times ahead forecasting an El Nino that will be worse than anything experienced in the last 18 years.
The department said extreme weather conditions such as drought, soaring temperatures, strong winds, flash flooding over a short period and hail storms are likely to be experienced due to the effects of El Nino.
This is a very important message that we should all take heed of, especially our farmers across the country.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
The message is very clear and doubts, assumptions and the crossing of fingers hoping that things will turnout otherwise is being foolhardy.
This timely information at the onset of the cropping season must have us all putting in place mechanisms and measures to avert costly disasters that are beyond our control.
Agriculture is a business as any and should be treated as such.
It is time that we curb losses in agriculture by getting full control of the aspects that we have power over.
According to experts, El Nino, a phenomenon caused by Pacific Ocean warming is already wreaking havoc across the East and Southern African region.
And Zimbabwe is likely to plunge into food shortages in the coming year having predicted a 90 percent probability of below normal rains accompanied by extreme weather conditions such as excessive heat, strong winds, flash floods and hail storms.
Our producers of tobacco must be wary and take action to avert disaster.
We all know that a single hail storm can make an entire crop a total write-off.
It is time that producers engage insurance firms and insure their crops so that in the event of disaster striking they will be cushioned against losses.
Already a majority of farmers are struggling to take care of the tobacco crop already in the ground due to the prevailing liquidity crunch.
There are producers who have been fortunate enough to secure loans but these have to be repaid and some of the interest rates are so steep the farmers cannot afford losses.
These, without fail, must insure their crops lest they be affected and find themselves in perpetual debt.
The department said hail storms with stones as big as golf balls hit South Africa and the trend will likely continue throughout the rainfall season.
Thus our tobacco farmers must put in place mechanisms to protect themselves sufficiently.
And producers of other crops must adapt and adopt fast-maturing varieties.
With excessive heat predicted, farmers must also consider producing more small grains such as sorghum and millet that can withstand severe weather conditions.
These crops should not be shunned as they guarantee farmers harvests.
With the maheu/amahewu drink becoming the most preferred beverage for health reasons, crops such as sorghum and millet have become lucrative due to increasing demand on the market.
Producers of maize will do well to plant fast-maturing varieties so that by the time the worst of weather elements begin manifesting they will be harvesting.
These producers, like those into tobacco production as well as those in animal husbandry must engage insurance firms for cover.
Responsible authorities must also ensure that roads and bridges, especially bridges, are fortified and in good condition.
Floods have in the past swept away bridges cutting off communities, leaving them without access to crucial services.
If we craft effective strategies we will not be found wanting and will not experience food shortages.
We know the danger that is coming and we must be prepared for it and not be taken by surprise.
Forewarned is forearmed, let us not be found helpless.