Maravi

(HERALD) Urban farmers start planting

Urban farmers start planting
Agriculture Reporter

Harare’s urban farmers have started planting summer crops following the onset of the rains. Over the weekend, many families were either planting or clearing land in preparation for planting.

Most parts of Harare received rains at the weekend while in most parts of the country the rains started falling last week. Yesterday, some farmers were working in the rain to plant maize.

Mr Simbarashe Mnangagwa of Gleneagles said he was lagging behind with land preparations and so he had to work in the rain.

"It is always good to do things at the right time and this extends to farming," he said.

Many farmers were beginning to have fears that the season was already lost due to the delay in the rains.

Department of Meteorological Services head of forecasting Mr Tich Zinyemba last week said most parts of the country had received rains.

He said the falls were generally light.

"Notwithstanding, there have been some significant falls across the country. The situation as of now indicates that the rainfall situation should continue improving in all provinces of the country," he said.

Farmers have been encouraged to liaise with Agritex officials to best use the precipitation they get depending on soils and their agro-ecological regions.

Mr Zinyemba advised farmers with irrigation facilities not to wait for the rains as the climate was conducive for planting.

Urban farming plays a pivotal role in promoting food security, nutrition and improving household economies.

Labels: HARARE, URBAN FARMING

posted by MrK @ 11:58 AM