Zimbabwe rainy season likely to be very short

The Government has advised farmers that the rainy season has started and is likely to be short with all parts of the country expected to receive rains this week.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere updated the nation after Cabinet's adoption of the update on the 2023/2024 summer cropping season yesterday.

He said the country remained food secure with stocks at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) enough to sustain the country for more than 10 months.

"Government highlights that rainfall is expected throughout the country during the course of the week. Farmers are therefore advised that the rainfall season has started and is likely to be short," said Dr Muswere.

Around 2 877 000 hectares was targeted for planting summer crops this season with maize taking 1 782 000 hectares, sorghum 350 000 hectares, pearl millet 200 000 hectares, soya beans 60 000 hectares, sunflower 160 000 hectares, sugar beans 55 000 hectares and cotton taking 270 000 hectares.

"Of the total hectarage, 867 500 hectares will be financed by the Climate Proofed Presidential Inputs Supply Scheme (Pfumvudza/lntwasa), and the rest by CBZ, AFC, NMB and other banks and by the private sector and individual farmers," said Dr Muswere.

"As at 10 December 2023 and due to late commencement of the rainfall season, about 95 156 hectares had been planted, compared to 465 707 hectares at the same time last year.

"The country has sufficient seed in stock to meet demand, with 40,8 percent of the available maize seed being of the early to ultra-early maturity varieties.

"Significant has been recorded in farmer training and in the preparation of Pfumvudza/lntwasa plots.

"Farmers have generally favoured climate-proofing interventions during this El Nino year, with 87 percent of the targeted 11,85 million plots having been prepared.

"In terms of livestock, Government has instituted immediate remedial measures including borehole drilling, hay bailing and enhanced disease management, to alleviate the poor livestock condition in the drier provinces.

"The worst affected provinces are Matebeleland South, Matebeleland North and Masvingo," said Dr Muswere.

He also informed the nation that as at December 10, the GMB had in stock a total of 235 095 tonnes of grain, comprising 188 353 tonnes of maize and 46 742 tonnes of traditional grains.

"At the prevailing monthly consumption rate of 23 000 tonnes per month, the available grain will last 10,2 months," said Dr Muswere.

Regarding wheat, he said the country's current stocks stand at 242 508 tonnes sufficient to provide 11,5 months cover.

Dr Muswere said Cabinet GMB has a 46,8 percent market share of maize, 7,3 percent of soya bean, 41,3 percent sunflower, wheat 46 percent, 63,6 percent of traditional grains, translating to 39,4 percent share of the total marketed crop.

On tobacco marketing 227,5 million kilogrammes of tobacco worth US$1,196 billion have been exported at an average price of US$5,26 per kg, in comparison 182 million kilogrammes worth US$880,677 million were exported during the same period last year at US$4,83 per kg.

At least 85 295 tonnes of graded cotton have been delivered across the nation as at December 6, compared to 55 927 tonnes at the same time in 2022.