Story by Tendai Munengwa
The Meteorological Services Department says farmers should utilise the current dry spell for weeding and other farming operations, with normal to above-normal rains predicted from this month to February next year.
Despite the predicted dry spell in the next seven days, farmers should take advantage of the situation to continue with their farming operations as the season is still favourable.
The nation is, however, advised to be on high alert when the rains resume as the hot dry spell will be followed by hailstorms and heavy wind.
Meteorologist, Baba Maketa told the ZBC News, “Our season as per our advisory is still fine, nothing has changed. From December up to February next year, we still forecast normal to above rainfall, but as the rains come back it will likely be associated with thunderstorms and heavy downpours hence people should be on high alert.”
Chief agronomist Ivan Craig says the dry spell is an important window for farmers to carry out weeding and other farming operations.
“This break is very crucial for farmers, they can use it to carry out weeding, applying fertilisers, chemicals and also for those who are yet to plant, they can do so during this dry spell,” he said.
As the country shifts from the El-Nino-induced drought into the La-Nina phenomenon, farmers have also been advised to exercise the best agronomic studies such as water harvesting.
