Zimbabwe to expect good agricultural season

Zimbabwe should expect a good agricultural season as the Meteorological Services Department is predicting more rains amid calls by stakeholders for better preparedness to increase production and ensure food self sufficiency.

The country is set to receive more rains in the next few days in a development expected to boost agriculture.

Most farmers in the country rely on rain fed agriculture and a continuation of the current wet spell as forecast by the Meteorological Services Department is good for farming.

Considering the good rains received in most farming areas so far and the challenges in accessing inputs by farmers on time, the Zimbabwe Farmers Union director Mr Paul Zakariya says seeds, fertilisers and chemicals must be disbursed on time to ensure maximum yields.

He also notes that timelines related to farming have to be adhered to in order to attain production targets.

Fertiliser companies and other input suppliers have to also prepare on time to meet increased demand for their products.

Financing models for farmers are also key to ensuring agriculture production is increased says agriculture expert Mr Isdory Kembo.

For a country that has a mix of expertise and favourable climatic conditions among other factors, Zimbabwe has remained behind while other countries in the region have boosted their food security.

Zimbabwe once described as the bread basket of Southern Africa is struggling to provide sufficient food for its people due to periodic droughts and sub optimal production.

This year government introduced the Command Agriculture Programme to ensure the nation grows enough maize for local consumption.