Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE onset of the rainfall season has been characterised by false starts and intermittent dry spells in recent years, including this current 2024/25 season. Nevertheless, agricultural experts remain confident that the targeted 265 000 hectares of maize for Manicaland will be exceeded.
According to data from the Meteorological Services Department, the onset of the rainy season is defined as any day after October 1 when a location receives 20mm or more of rainfall within two days or less, and no dry spell of more than 10 days occurs within the subsequent 30 days.
The MSD data further clarifies that if these conditions are not met, the season is considered not to have started, or if they are partially met, a false start is deemed to have occurred.
Climate change has significantly impacted the start of the rainy season in recent years.
Typically, the October-November-December (OND) period marks the beginning of the rainy season, but it has been characterised by false starts.
In contrast, the January-February-March (JFM) period has seen substantial rainfall, albeit with intermittent dry spells.
According to meteorological officer and focal point person for Manicaland, Mr Tapiwa Maringo, most parts of the province experienced a false start to the rainy season.
“For some parts of Manicaland Province, substantial amounts of rainfall were finally received mid to late December even though the distribution was not that even. Some areas got heavy downpours, while other received rains late,” he said.
Mr Maringo noted that it was only this month (January) that the forecast of normal to above-normal rainfall began to materialise.
“The division of the rainy season between the OND and JFM periods has revealed that more rainfall is now being received in the later period, a clear consequence of climate change.
“There has been a shift in the amounts of rainfall received between OND and JFM compared to what we were used to in the past. It is also imperative to note that we are also now experiencing higher temperatures and that means more evapotranspiration.
“Technically, what that means is that where we receive erratic rainfall in the OND period, due to evapotranspiration, there is little that can be obtained from the rainfall received compared to the JFM period,” said Mr Maringo.
Evapotranspiration is the sum of all processes by which water moves from the land surface to the atmosphere via evaporation and transpiration.
In a separate interview, Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) provincial director for Manicaland, Mr Nhamo Mudada, conceded that over the years, the provincial rainfall situation has become more erratic and unpredictable.
He said as a result, business development advisers continue to guide farmers to plan crop and livestock production systems properly to counter effects from changing weather patterns and climate variability.
Mr Mudada remains optimistic about achieving a bumper harvest and exceeding the target of 265 000 hectares of maize, despite the erratic and unpredictable rainfall patterns in Manicaland.
Over the years, the provincial rainfall situation has become increasingly unreliable, with the season onset varying between mid-November and December.
The province has experienced false starts to the rainy season, which can lead to repeated replanting.
This season’s rainfall distribution has also been unexpected, but Mr Mudada credited the farmers’ efforts for his optimism.
The farmers, guided by business development advisers and extension scientists, have adapted to the changing weather patterns and climate variability, planning their crop and livestock production systems accordingly.
“Over the years, the provincial rainfall situation has become so erratic and unpredictable and our business development advisers, including extension scientists continue to guide farmers to plan their crop and livestock production systems properly to counter the effects of changing weather patterns and climate variability.
“For instance, the season onset has been varying between mid-November to the third quarter of December, and is characterized by false starts, which usually stretch from mid-October to mid-December resulting in some cases of replanting.
“During this season, rainfall distribution in time and space has not gone as expected. However, with extremely positive efforts of farmers in the province, we are still optimistic that we will achieve a bumper harvest and exceed our target of 265 000 hectares for maize,” he said.
Mr Mudada said conservation agriculture strategies, including the Pfumvudza programme, have helped alleviate the effects of intermittent dry spells during the rainy season.
“Climate variability has led to dry spells, but we are not overly concerned because the Presidential climate-proof input scheme, Pfumvudza, was designed to counter this.
“Farmers following the Pfumvudza programme are expected to harvest good yields, as it is a prime example of unpredictable dry spell counter strategies,” he said, adding that dry spells can occur anytime between December and March.
“We will continue to collaborate with departments like MSD for early warning systems and planning.
“To mitigate the effects of weather pattern fluctuations and make rain-fed crop production systems more resilient, Government is implementing various measures.
“These measures include promoting the Pfumvudza programme, with a focus on conservation agriculture principles like minimum tillage, mulching, and rotation.
“Other encouraged practices include early planting, water harvesting, precise fertiliser application, and intensive crop production systems with restricted plot sizes coupled with use of lime and organic manure are being encouraged,” he said.
Mr Mudada added that traditional grain production is being promoted, emphasising pearl millet and sorghum.
However, they have faced resistance in some districts such as Mutasa, upper Chimanimani and highveld of Chipinge due to traditional beliefs.
“Traditional grain production has also been promoted, with more emphasis on pearl millet and sorghum. Pearl millet and round nuts have been found to be the camel of the crop world. Despite widespread crop failure due to the El Nino-induced drought last 2023/24 season, farmers who followed Pfumvudza strategy and climate matching in crops species and varieties managed to salvage a harvest from their cropping systems.
“Production of pearl millet has been subdued in some districts such as Mutasa, upper Chimanimani and highveld of Chipinge due to traditional beliefs.
“We kindly request our traditional leaders to assist in the adoption of crop agro-ecological matching to improve our food security management strategies,” said Mr Mudada.
He said revitalisation of irrigation schemes in Manicaland is expected to boost crop production in parts of the province.
“Irrigation rehabilitation and establishment are underway. With the assistance of stakeholders, Government has rehabilitated the Romsley (Makoni), Cashel Valley (Chimanimani), and Musikavanhu/Chibuwe (Chipinge) irrigation clusters,” he said.
He added that these efforts have led to more resilient crop production at these schemes, and Government plans to establish additional new irrigation schemes in the province.
“As a result, more resilient crop production is now in full throttle at these schemes. Government is forging ahead to establish more and new irrigation schemes in Manicaland,” he said.
The establishment of additional irrigation schemes in Manicaland is expected to significantly boost food production, ultimately making the province sufficiently food-secure.
