The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has reported that the rainy season is lingering, with scattered showers expected in March, albeit too late to revive wilting crops.
This setback compounds the existing challenges in a country already grappling with food insecurity and economic difficulties. According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), over a quarter of Zimbabwe’s rural population—approximately 2.7 million people—will face grain shortages in the first quarter of the year.
James Ngoma, head meteorologist at MSD, noted that while some regions are experiencing light and isolated showers, the rainy season is yet to conclude. However, Ngoma cautioned that the rainfall is sporadic and insufficient to salvage crops in distress.
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The uneven distribution of rainfall has led to mixed agricultural outcomes. While some farmers have benefited from favorable conditions and full dams, others have suffered from limited rainfall, resulting in low yields.
Farmers’ unions echoed concerns about the adverse effects of the lack of rains and intense heat on crop development. Paul Zakariya, secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Farmers Union, expressed skepticism about the potential impact of the delayed rains on wilting crops, suggesting that the situation may already be irreparable.
Shadreck Makombe, president of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union, shared similar sentiments, highlighting the grim reality faced by farmers whose crops have already withered due to the prolonged drought conditions.
With crops wilting and yields compromised, Zimbabwe finds itself in the grip of a challenging agricultural crisis, further exacerbating food insecurity and economic woes.
