(HERALD ZW) Rains bring relief to farmers in Masvingo
December 23, 2013
George Maponga Masvingo Bureau
Most parts of Masvingo received rains over the past week, bringing relief to farmers across the province whose crops, especially maize, were showing signs of moisture stress.Most of the early planted maize crop was beginning to wilt under the weight of severe moisture loss caused by the dry spell that lasted over three weeks across most districts.
Farmers were already predicting a gloomy agricultural season for Masvingo following the poor and erratic rains. Some farmers had already given up on planting maize crop.
In Gutu, heavy rains pounded the district over the last few days with farmers in Chiwara, Bhasera, Tirizi, Maungwa and Mukaro saying something could now be salvaged.
The situation was the same in Bikita, northern parts of Zaka, Chiredzi and Masvingo districts, which received rains. Zimbabwe Farmers Union Masvingo regional manager Mr Jeremiah Chimwanda urged farmers to intensify farming operations.
“In some areas such as Chivi and Mwenezi farmers had not planted because of lack of rains,’’ he said.
Mr Chimwanda said farmers should go for short-season seed varieties, especially for maize and those in arid parts of the province must prioritise small, drought-resistant grains.
Labels: MASVINGO PROVINCE, RAINS
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Major dams fill up as rains continue
15/01/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
MOST major dams in the northern parts of the country were this week spilling although the southern regions are expected to continue to face water problems due to insignificant rain fall.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) said Tuesday Harare’s major water supplier, Lake Chivero was 101% full although the capital continues to experience water shortages.
Manyame Dam, another of the city’s main suppliers was
79,5% full.
Mazvikadei Dam was 93,1% full with Exchange Dam in Mazowe at 91,4% full although the bigger dam Mazowe is however only 18% full.
In Manicaland Zimunya Dam was 100% full with Wenimbi in the Save catchment at 95% of its capacity.
Exchange Dam in the Gwayi catchment area was said to be spilling at 102% and Mtshabezi is at 90,9% full.
While dams in the northern parts of the country are almost full, the water bodies in the southern region are almost empty with Upper Ncema only 1,1% full while Lower Ncema only 7,2% full.
Mzingwane which supplies Bulawayo was only 8,6% full.
Siya Dam in the the Save catchment area, which is used for irrigation is at 9,1% full while Mutirikwi Dam, which is used for water supply and irrigation is just above 12%.
ZINWA also said due to continued rains in the northern sides, the amount of water in the Zambezi River had been increasing and communities residing along the valley area have been warned to be on high alert as floods might occur.
Labels: DAMS, RAINS, ZINWA
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