Another hailstorm destroys crops in Rusape

26 Feb, 2021 - 00:02 0 Views
Another hailstorm destroys crops in Rusape

The ManicaPost

Samuel Kadungure

Senior Reporter

ANOTHER hailstorm thumped pockets of Rusape farming communities last week on Saturday, destroying ripening tobacco, tussling maize and sugar beans, among other crops.

Farmers in the affected Crofton area had initially celebrated the coming back of the rains after a scorching spell, but the joy was short-lived as the rains turned violent and left a trail of destruction along its path.

The hailstorm affected crops along the stretch from Rusape to the Tollgate, where mostly A1 farmers were the victims as the damaged crop was not insured.

Agritex district officer, Mr Joseph Chipere, on Wednesday confirmed the disaster, adding that it is difficult to quantify the damaged hectarage as assessments are still ongoing.

“We have a number of A1 farmers who reported that their crops were damaged. We are still assessing the extent of the damage, but what is clear so far is that the victims had not insured their crop. Farming is a business that should be insured against such shocks,” said Mr Chipere.

One of the victims, Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira of Crofton Farm, said the hailstorm destroyed three hectares of vegetative and tussling maize. 

The tussling maize crop was written off after the hailstorm pruned all its leaves, thereby compromising chances of robust grain-filling.

“Even if it survives, longer-term impact like lower yields is likely. Crops can only recover if the hail does not damage the growth points responsible for cell division. If the growth point is damaged, that plant is gone for good.

“It is a hailstorm disaster. I had anticipated a good maize harvest, but my hopes have been extinguished,” said Mr Mutyasira.

His neighbour, Mr Lycious Muchatiza, said he lost two hectares of tobacco and three hectares of maize.

The tobacco was self-financed and in its fourth reaping cycle.

“The entire tobacco crop in the field was pruned and shredded. I had done four reaps, with six more to go, but all the top leaves are gone. It is a complete loss. The same goes for the maize crop,” said Mr Muchatiza.

Mr Temba Gware said he lost three hectares of tussling maize, as well as two hectares of tobacco and beans.

“It is like the hailstorm had a landfall in my field. It was so intense and the damage was outrageous. Even weeds in the field were not spared. It was a total annihilation. The crop was not insured and this disaster is an eye-opener. 

“I have nowhere to look up to for recourse, yet I had one of the best crops in the area,” he decried.

Mr Caleb Kabungaidze described his predicament as terrible.

“It is terrible. I was left with nothing and I am home cooling off. I had high value tobacco, but everything was shredded to pieces. I had only harvested the primmings (lower leaves) once, and the whole crop is gone. I had planned to do the second reap the following morning, but nature decided otherwise. Not even a single leaf was left on the tobacco stalk. It is so painful,” said Mr Kabungaidze.

The latest hailstorm comes barely a fortnight after another, coupled with strong winds, destroyed Mr Booker Chinamasa’s 14 hectares of a ripening high-value tobacco crop at Kelvin Farm in Headlands.

Mr Chinamasa’s crop was insured.

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