Harare (New Ziana) – The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has advised farmers not to start planting yet after heavy rains poured in most parts of the country this week, but instead take advantage of the downpours to speed up their land preparations.

Most parts of the country received considerable rainfalls over the past few days.

However, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri said farmers should not yet start planting.

Instead, he advised farmers to use the rains to speed up land preparations.

Echoing the ministry, the Meteorological Services Department has said the rains did not signal the start of the rain season for farmers to plant.

“We advise farmers to use these rains to speed up land preparation (holing for Pfumvudza/Intwasa and accelerating tillage for those practising conventional farming,” Professor Jiri said.

He said unless farmers had irrigation, they are discouraged form planting any crops for now.

He also advised wheat farmers against rushing to harvest their crop in fear of the rains, saying hot, sunny will return in coming days.

“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,” Professor Jiri said.

New Ziana