Harare (New Ziana)-Three out of the five ecological regions in Zimbabwe have a higher probability of receiving normal to below normal rains during the upcoming summer season, a Cabinet Minister said on Tuesday.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere told a post Cabinet media briefing that according to the weather forecast, the rainfall to be received is likely going to be erratic.
“Cabinet wishes to advise the nation that the rainfall probabilities of the two sub-seasons (October-November-December 2023 and January-February-March 2024) were determined using statistical analysis and other climate prediction parameters. These were derived from indicators that show historical trends, and also based on early warning indicator tools based on national, regional and standards as guided by the World Meteorological Services approaches.
“The nation is informed that during the 2023/24 summer rainfall season, the three zones (Region 1,2, and 3) will have a higher probability of receiving normal to below normal rainfall for most of the sub-seasons that make the period October 2023 to March 2024.
“The bulk of Matabeleland North, parts of Midlands covering Gokwe North and South districts and parts of Matabeleland South province are expected to receive below normal to normal rainfall, while normal rainfall with a bias towards below normal rainfall is highly likely for the remaining provinces.
Muswere said the rainfall is expected to be erratic in space and time, with violent storms, prolonged dry spells, flash floods and tropical cyclones as the season progresses.
“The Meteorological Services Department will continue to monitor all the available seasonal climate indicators which influence Zimbabwe’s rainfall as they evolve,” he said.
Turning to preparations for the summer cropping season, Muswere said under the National Enhanced Agriculture Production Programme a target of 92 000 hectares has been set to be put under the maize crop.
“About 40.8 per cent of available maize seed is of early to ultra-early maturity. The acceleration of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme is progressing well as well as the distribution of inputs across the country.
Regarding the irrigation update, dams are 82 percent full across the country.
“Some 70 316 hectares have been committed for irrigated maize production, with a potential of 400 000 to 500 000 metric tons production. In terms of the summer financing schemes, the Government will contribute USD 642 372 million while the Bankers Association indicates that ZWL68 billion and USD 160 million has been committed for the 2023/24 season,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka said the government is distributing traditional grains to farmers in regions 4 and 5 under the presidential input scheme to mitigate the effects of the predicted rainfall forecast.
“We are also ensuring that the crops that we distribute are of early to ultra early maturity for maize.
“We have instructed all Grain Marketing Board depots to not receive seeds that are not aligned to ecological zones,” he said.
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