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Late rains welcome

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FROM last week, most parts of the country have been receiving heavy rains, much to the delight of farmers whose crops and livestock had been affected by the dry spell.
The 2017/2018 summer cropping season started off on a high note ushered by the first rains.
Most parts of the country received the first rains in late November, only to be followed by a long dry spell.
Upon receiving the first rains, most farmers planted.
Maize is at various stages of development with the early planted crop having reached tasselling stage.
Zimbabwe requires two million metric tonnes of grain to meet its annual requirements.
Lack of cheaper finance to procure inputs and the prevailing liquidity constraints have hampered crop production.
However, the major highlight for the agricultural sector for the past two seasons has been Command Agriculture Scheme, a Government spearheaded programme aimed at boosting food security.
Under the programme, Government targets to produce two million tonnes under 400 000 hectares.
Last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the programme had this season been ‘sabotaged’ as farmers received inputs late.
The dry spell had crashed hopes for a successful season. However, hopes remained pinned on the forecast by the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) that above normal rainfall would be received during the second half of the season. The first half of the season ended mid-January.
As forecast by the MSD, rains have been received this month. The department issued an alert of flooding extending into this week with heavier rains to be expected in Matabeleland North, Midlands, Harare, all Mashonaland and Manicaland provinces.
“Indications are that the rains may result in sharp downpours, damaging winds, lightning, hail and flash flooding. Uprooting of trees and damage to infrastructure is possible with this type of rain intensity,” read part of the alert.
The rains have restored hope for a successful season as some farmers have replanted and those with a crop that had not been severely affected by the dry spell still expect a good harvest.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Wonder Chabikwa said the rains had restored hope for a successful season.
“Recent rains are welcome and this means crops which had not germinated have now done so, though late,” he said.
“Crops which survived the drought are now recovering while pastures which were dwindling are also on the mend. Dam levels and underground water table are recharged for the winter and next summer irrigation.
“Some crops suffered permanent wilting and were a write-off while others suffered temporary wilting point and these are recovering with current rains.”
Given the amount of rains, some fields have become water-logged.
Chabikwa said water-logging may be experienced in light soils.
“Farmers are advised to ensure they prevent water-logging by ensuring they have proper drainage systems as water-logging can result in leaching of nitrogen,” he said.
“Top dressing and supplementary top dressing with urea will help supply the needed nitrogen.”
Apart from the dry spell which was threatening yields farmers have also been affected by pests and diseases.
Last season, there was an army worm outbreak in parts of the Mashonaland provinces with some maize crop in Matabeleland North attacked by stalk borer.
Stalk borer, a pest that feeds mainly on maize and sorghum, feeds on plant stalks and upper leaves, reducing flow of water and nutrients throughout the plant.
Plants then wilt and either die or have stunted growth.
Army worm is a destructive pest that gets its name because it travels in large insect armies and destroys large hectares of crops in a short period of time.
Of late, the southern African region has witnessed an increase in army worm outbreaks, a development which experts attribute to climate change induced alterations of temperature and rainfall patterns.
Tomato growers are being affected by bollworm which thrives in rainy conditions and is resistant to chemicals.
Chabikwa said growers should inspect fields daily because the fall army worm would continue to attack the maize crop up to maturity stage if it is not properly managed.
“If farmers decide to apply pesticides when it is raining, they have to first apply a sticker to ensure chemicals are not washed away and this is at an extra cost,” said Chabikwa.
“Farmers should scout fields at least three times daily because the fall army worm will continue to attack the maize crop up to maturity stage if it is not properly managed.”

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