Heavy rains ignite farmers’ rush to fields
SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO
Heavy rains across Masvingo Province has ignited a full-scale rush back to the fields, with farmers “already preparing land and in many areas already planting” as heavy rains restore soil moisture and raise the prospect of a strong 2024/25 cropping season.
After months of erratic rainfall that left farmers sceptical and the province’s food security at risk, the recent downpours have triggered what officials describe as an “exceptional early surge” in tillage and planting across Bikita, Gutu, Zaka, Chivi, Masvingo District, Mwenezi and Chiredzi—marking one of the most energetic starts to the season in years.
The rebound follows a punishing drought last season, which caused delayed planting, widespread crop failure and deepened household food insecurity. Farmers say the renewed rains offer a timely chance for recovery—if input supplies, fertilizer availability and extension support keep pace.
Early assessments point to promising production prospects, especially for high-value and drought-tolerant crops. Sesame production, one of Masvingo’s fastest-growing agricultural commodities, is projected to exceed 10,000 tonnes this season, with nearly 30,000 hectares under cultivation—driven by improved market access, donor-funded training, and the establishment of a processing and storage hub at Rutenga.
Sesame has rapidly become a lucrative alternative for drought-prone districts such as Mwenezi and Chivi, offering strong margins and growing export opportunities in Asian markets.
Traditional small grains—sorghum and pearl millet—are also poised for a robust season, buoyed by resilient seed varieties, firm market demand and their central role in household food security.
On the strategic cereal front, the province has set an ambitious 4,000-hectare target for winter wheat, underpinned by government-backed irrigation rehabilitation, improved seed distribution and heightened participation by smallholder irrigation scheme members. Officials believe Masvingo could play a larger role in national wheat supply chains compared to past years.
Masvingo’s agricultural rebound carries broader economic weight. The province is positioning agriculture as a key driver of progress toward Zimbabwe’s targeted US$8 billion provincial GDP by 2030. Sesame alone now accounts for roughly 40% of national output—and if value-addition and export routes expand, rural incomes could rise sharply.
Traditional grains, though less commercially lucrative than sesame, continue to anchor food security and support local agro-industry, stabilising supply chains for millers and processors.
Yet even amid optimism, significant hurdles persist. Heavy rains have caused waterlogging in low-lying areas, raising the risk of nutrient leaching—particularly nitrogen loss—threatening early crop vigour. Fertilizer shortages remain acute in some districts, with prices for top-dressing still out of reach for many smallholder farmers.
Logistical bottlenecks, limited tillage capacity for late starters and uneven input distribution also threaten to blunt momentum. Stakeholders warn that urgent coordination between government, private suppliers and farmer cooperatives is needed to ensure farmers fully exploit the seasonal window.
