Good news for farmers
Brian Rungano Temba
The Meteorological Services Department has released a promising prediction for the 2022-2023 summer cropping season which promises better rains than last year.
In a statement, the MSD said much of the country region is likely to receive normal to below-normal rainfall for most of the period October to December (OND) 2022, except for the southern parts of the country where normal to above-normal rains are expected.
However, in what has appeared to be a shift in seasons the MSD said during January to March (JFM) 2023 period the whole country is expected to have normal to above normal rainfall for the country.
According to the subdivisions made by the Meteorological Services Department according to rain distribution the Southern Region that makes up Zone III constitutes of the entirety of Masvingo Province, a large part of Matebeleland South and Midlands and small portions of Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Moshonaland West and Matebeleland North.
The report detailed the rainfall expected in these areas in phases they also subdivided into sub-seasons.
“The seasonal rainfall forecast is divided into four sub-seasons which are October to December (OND)
2022, November to January (NDJ) 2022/23, December to February (DJF) 2022/23 and January to March 2023 (JFM),” read the report.
A significant change in rainfall patterns has necessitated the revision of climatic regions on the Zimbabwean Geographical landscape and the report made a clear juxtaposition of the two distinct eras.
“The period October to March is the main rainfall season over most parts of the country.
Owing to the differences and evolution patterns in the predominant rainfall-bearing systems, the rainy season has been subdivided into four overlapping three-month periods,” read the report.
Throughout all sub season the southern region is to expect increased chances of normal to above normal cumulative rainfall totals.
Most likely to be within the long-term average range with a chance of going above this range.
Such conditions that have been warmed to lead to heavy storms followed by periods of elevated temperatures are getting more frequent.
“To be expected also are violent storms, flash floods are more likely to occur. Risk of riverine flooding is anticipated to be high.
Prolonged dry spells with high temperatures as the season unfolds are to be expected,” read the report.
Also mentioned in the report was the threat of disease outbreaks and natural disasters as a result of such conditions.
“The prevalence of malaria and water-borne diseases is more likely, along with occurrences of tropical cyclones is a possibility during the season,” further read the report.
Given the current forecast, there is need to improve stocks of seed and fertilisers.
There is a higher risk of leaching during the season, soil conservation technologies such as construction contours and storm drains to be
done.
High rainfall may mean increase in livestock disease therefore farmers should stock up on dipping chemicals and ensure consistent dipping
There is need to continue with water harvesting programmes and conservation agriculture practices.
The current high-water security in the country is set to be further boosted in the
upcoming inflow season in light of the forecasted normal to above normal rainfall season.
The expected situation will result in excess inflow into the rivers and national dams.
More dams are expected to spill in the upcoming season.
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