Crops, livestock in good condition

Crops and livestock are in good condition following the rains across Zimbabwe, although in some areas the maize crop is now showing signs of leaching in waterlogged areas, but reaping has started for irrigated tobacco.

Rains are set to continue.

The Metrological Services Department (MSD) recently forecast thunderstorms and rain over most of Zimbabwe and many areas have received the rains, raising farmers’ hopes that a decent yield would be obtained.

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) said several small dams were already full, including Ngwenya Dam, Lower Mgusa, Exchange, Pollards, Nyangombe, Bulilima, Nyajena, Lower Zibagwe, Padre’s Pool, Somalala and Bangazaan. Water levels in major dams continue to rise.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe last week said the livestock condition has improved significantly and pastures were available.

But he was worried over the increase of tick-borne diseases.

“We are urging farmers to increase dipping intervals and also use tick grease. The other challenge with livestock is thatit can also be affected by foot rot. We urge farmers to be vigilant,” he said.

Dr Makombe said there was leaching in some water logged areas.

“Farmers who planted early are now weeding. The challenge is that in some instances chemicals can be washed out by the rains,” he said.

“We urge farmers to be careful when spraying herbicides so they are not washed away. But generally, the bulk of the early planted crop is in good condition.”

Tobacco growers with an early irrigated crop have started reaping in some areas.

Zimbabwe National Farmers Union vice president, Mr Edward Dune said farmers were in high spirits because of the rains.

“We are happy and the crops are looking good. The only challenge is weed pressure and leaching in some parts of the country,” he said.

“We are urging farmers to adopt split application for the top dressing fertilisers.”

Some farmers have complained that they were having challenges accessing fertiliser from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) especially for Command Agriculture.

Meanwhile,the national dam level average stood at 43,5 percent marking a 6,99 percentimprovement since last week.

Zinwa communications and marketing manager, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga last week said as of December 14, 2020, Gwayi Catchment had a dam level average of 51 percent, Manyame Catchment 57,8 percent, Mazowe Catchment 39,7 percent, Mzingwane Catchment 34,7 percent, Runde Catchment 40,7 percent, Sanyati Catchment 46,6 percent and Save Catchment 45 percent.

“While water levels in the dams continue improving, the need to conserve water still remains and water users across the board are advised to continue using water sparingly and efficiently,” she said.-chronicle.cl.zw