Story by Tendai Munengwa
ZIMBABWE is on track for a historic grain harvest, with the national crop outlook indicating that production targets are likely to be exceeded this season.
The Meteorological Services Department has confirmed that rains are expected to resume this weekend, offering further support to agricultural activities across the country.
Chief Agronomist Mr Ivan Craig said the early-season rains created favourable planting conditions, enabling farmers to achieve high yields.
“The crop outlook is very good and a bumper crop is everywhere for everyone to see. The early rains, the early season have given farmers the necessary conditions to plant on time. Thumbs up to farmers, they have done justice to the food security agenda and we are no doubt heading for food security at household and national level.”
Villagers in the Concession area of Mazowe are impressed by the national crop outlook.
“There are prospects of a bumper harvest everywhere. The maize is just good and the rains have done us good, so no one will starve this year,” a villager said.
The Meteorological Services Department has since allayed fears of a setback, saying the dry spell in some parts of the country is a normal window experienced every year.
“There is no chance of a drought, the rains are coming back starting this weekend. The dry spell is not unusual, it always happens, but the season is still good for the farmers,” Meteorological Services Department’s Deputy Director, Mr Baba Maketa noted.
Figures received from observers countrywide indicate farmers may hit a historic bumper harvest of about three million metric tonnes of maize.
