GWANDA -THERE is a glimmer of hope for Gwanda District communal farmers and the
entire province, following the incessant rains that are currently being experienced.
The rains received across the country have maintained high hopes of a bumper harvest among
farmers in the drought-prone Region V (5).
Crop failure is due to drought, which is usually the order of the day for many communal
farmers who depend on rain water.
Newly resettled communal farmer, Xolani Ncube, who resides in Insindi farming area,
expressed happiness and is optimistic of producing a high yield at the end of 2022-2023
farming season.
“This will be my second year to plough on my piece of land and this time around I am
optimistic that I will have a bumper harvest.
“The rains are promising and I don’t want to take chances waiting for December cropping.
Already, I have planted part of my field,” said Ncube.
Another, farmer who only identified herself as maPhiri was busy in her field working on the
perimeter fence to protect her crops from domestic animals.
“I did dry planting and, thank God he answered my prayers, as you can see that my maize
crop is approaching knee height.
“Farming is a gamble; you can win or lose, but this time around I am happy with how my
crops are.
“Right now I am working on my fence to secure my crops from animals. If all goes according
to my plan, come February I will be harvesting my crop,” said maPhiri.
The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) predicted normal to above normal rains
during the 2022/2023 cropping season.
Acting Provincial Director Agriculture Rural Development Services, Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu,
urged farmers to take advantage of the current rains.