The ManicaPost
Wimbainashe Zhakata Farming Correspondent
THE rains pounding Manicaland have resuscitated crops, pastures and replenished water levels in major reservoirs, a senior Agritex official has said.
Manicaland Agritex head Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa said about 100mm of rainfall had been received in almost every district in Manicaland, adding that this will resultantly improve the crop condition.
“More than 100mm of rainfall had been received in just one day in most parts of the province of which in Nyanga is one of the districts. Mutasa district has been receiving about 34mm per day,” she said.
Mrs Rwambiwa said that the province will benefit from the wet spell, especially water bodies.
“The good thing about the rains is that water bodies will be filled up. The rains will resuscitate all crops, pastures and replenish water bodies. Livestock will have more pastures, which will improve their condition throughout the province. This is a great relief to the province,” said Mrs Rwambiwa.
However, the planting window for maize and other crops in Manicaland has come to an end.
“The planting of maize should be over now, though in the Lowveld they are still planting because it is relevantly warmer than other regions. As a result, farmers are still planting sugar beans. There had been consistent rainfall across the province and farmers have been planting sweet potatoes, sunflower and cowpeas, among other crops,” said another Agritex official, Mr Cephas Mlambo.
He said the rainfall has increased with about 47 percent when compared to the same period last season.
“Previously the crop condition was moisture stressed but now it is in good condition. During the previous rains, we received an average of 469mm in the province as compared to last season. However, about 47 percent of the rainfall was received compared to the second half of last season.
“The rainfall that was received last week improved the crop condition. In Region 1 and 2, which is the Highveld, the crop condition is ranging from fair to good while region four and five the crop condition was ranging from poor to good,” said Mr Mlambo.
He said despite the good crop condition, some challenges remain standing.
“We still have challenges of a limited supply of top dressing fertilisers that farmers cannot afford,” he said.
Mr Mlambo said the fall armyworm (FAW) is under control as chemicals are readily available on the market.
“The demis chemical is part of the package from the Presidential Input Scheme and it is readily available to tackle FAW,” said Mr Mlambo.
The bulk of the maize crop is at late vegetative stage, while five percent is at physiological maturity, especially in smallholder irrigation schemes.
