Zimbabwe: Farmers are worried over dry spell continuing with crops

Published Feb 23, 2022

Tridge summary

Zimbabwe is experiencing a severe dry spell, causing moisture stress in crops and potential write-offs without supplementary irrigation. The drought has affected maize and sugarbeans, with fall armyworm infestations increasing. The Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union and the Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Trust have expressed concern, particularly for small-scale farmers. The Agriculture expert, Mr Ivan Craig, suggested techniques to store and use rainwater effectively for crop benefit. The Met department forecasts mixed weather with some rain in certain provinces, but overall, the country remains dry after over 2.5 million hectares being put under cropping by February 1, with maize being the main crop.

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Original content

Farmers are becoming very worried as the dry spell continues with crops showing signs of moisture stress and a lot could depend on supplementary irrigation to ensure reasonable harvests. It has not been raining in most parts of the country while there have been localised light rains in Mashonaland and Manicaland. Maize at tasselling and grain filling stage have been severely affected while some farmers who had planted sugarbeans said the crop was now under threat from cutworms. Agritex director, Mr Stancilae Tapererewa said the dry spell had been experienced countrywide and some crops could saved if rains come now. "We hope it rains as farmers had put so much efforts this season. "Farmers are currently controlling fall armyworm and weeding. Fall armyworm infestation increases in dry times. We do not recommend farmers to apply top dressing fertiliser until it rains otherwise they will burn the crops," he said. Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe ...

Source: All Africa