THE year 2015 was ushered in by heavy rains that were received in most parts of the country with some areas flooding and others breaking decades long records of rainfall.
Rains are normally a relief to farmers as most do not own irrigation systems, but the rains received during this first week of the year caught some farmers by surprise.
For tobacco growers whose crop is at the ripening stage, incessant rains could spell disaster as they accelerate the ripening process putting pressure on the harvesting stage.
Rains also wash away nutrients such as nitrogen that control the ripening of the golden leaf.
Cereal and small grain farmers who had applied fertilisers have to reapply.
The 2014/2015 rain season started mid-December, two months later than the traditional time with climate experts attributing the late start to climate change.
Despite the changes in the rainfall patterns, farmers had begun planting cereals and small grains in October.
The heavy rains, pundits contend, will not affect the 2014/2015 cropping season which is expected to be successful.
Concerted efforts are being made to turn around the sector despite challenges such as limited financial support for crop production.
Most farmers lack collateral to borrow from financial institutions.
Government guided by the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-ASSET) reaffirmed its support for the sector saying food security will be a priority.
Stakeholders are upbeat about the prospects of the 2015 agricultural season.
The Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union, president Wonder Chabikwa is optimistic about this farming season.
“Rains fell later than expected and some farmers who had planted early lost their crop as they lacked adequate water for germination, but once the rains started last month most farmers replanted their fields,” said Chabikwa.
“Planting is still in full swing and can be done up to mid-January and those who plant after that can opt for short season varieties.
“The crop is looking good and we are confident we will get better yields.”
Chabikwa said farmers must not panic in the wake of the incessant rains.
The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has said more heavy rains are likely to be received.
“We might be getting more rains and it is important that they apply fertilisers with caution,” said Chabikwa.
“Compound fertilisers have no problems with lots of rain, but when applying Ammonium Nitrate, farmers should split their applications, reducing the amount applied by three quarters and apply fertilisers weekly.
“Tobacco farmers can apply Calcium Nitrate to slow down the ripening stage.”
With the rainfall patterns continuously changing, it is vital for farmers to adapt to the changes as this has an impact on yields.
“We are still learning more about the changes in the climate and as a union, we are working with relevant Government authorities to ensure that farmers have knowledge on the changes,” said Chabikwa.
“It is important that moving forward farmers know that they should only start planting when they have received a minimum of 25 millimetres which is adequate for germination.”
With the rain season having started late, it means that the marketing of most crops will be delayed further from the usual selling dates.
Tobacco marketing traditionally begins in February, cotton in May, while maize and most small grains in April.
Chabikwa said the outcome of the marketing season will have an impact on the 2015/2016 cropping season.
During the 2014 marketing season, Government had to intervene when farmers were being ripped off by private buyers who were buying maize at US$180 which was below the US$390 producer prices it had set.
Tobacco growers smiled all the way to the bank as production of the golden leaf increased to 215,7 million kilogrammes (kg) valued at US$682 million.
However, price disputes and low returns resulted in farmers abandoning cotton production switching over to the golden leaf which has proved to be lucrative.
Small grain farmers had a fairly good year as prices offered on the market were lucrative; but efforts have to be made to increase production.
A tonne of soya beans was fetching between US$450 and US$500, sugar beans was going for at least US$1 000 per tonne and groundnuts US$900 per tonne
“The prices we are expecting on the market in the coming season should help the farmers break even,” Chabikwa said.
“This season farmers were negatively affected by the delay in payment by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), some farmers have not yet been paid.
“This held back preparations for the cropping season and this season we hope funds will be availed in time for farmers to start preparations.”
Presenting the 2015 National budget, Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa assured farmers that funds will be availed to GMB for grain delivered.