Agric Ministry urges farmers not to plant yet

Zim Now Writer

Farmers have been discouraged farmers from planting with the Agriculture Ministry instead urging them to use the current rains to speed up land preparation.

In a statement, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri said farmers should not plant unless they have adequate irrigation.

This comes as various areas across the country received substantial rains since yesterday.

“Many parts of the country have received substantial rains this week. The Meteorological Services Department advises that this is not the start of the rainy season.

“We advise farmers to use these rains to speed up land preparation (holing for Pfumvudza/Intwasa and accelerating tillage for those practicing conventional farming). Farmers are discouraged from planting unless they have adequate irrigation.”

Prof Jiri also said wheat farmers cannot harvest at this point unless they have drying facilities.

He added: “We expect the weather to clear soon so wheat farmers may expect a better assessment of the crop. Unless a farmer has access to drying facilities, no harvesting is advisable until the moisture content is in the acceptable range.”

Zimbabwe is expected to receive average to below average rains this season in the wake of the effects of the El Nino phenomenon expected to affect the region, impacting heavily on rain-fed agriculture.