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Charity Ruzvidzo and Loveness Bepete Chronicle Reporters
THE continued dry spell has induced panic among farmers in most parts of the country, with the Meteorological Services Department recommending cloud seeding to save crops from wilting.

Tich Zinyemba, the head of the Met’s public weather services, yesterday admitted farmers were concerned over the prolonged dry spell but said his organisation did not have funding to conduct cloud seeding.

“It’s the desire of the Meteorological Services Department to do national cloud seeding operations for the 2014/2015 season but due to unavailability of resources, presently we’ve not been able to do it. It’s our hope that funds will be availed to us to start the programme,” he said.

Zinyemba said cloud seeding operations were most ideal from November 1 to end of March when conditions are suitable.

He said while the budget allocation for the 2014/2015 rainfall season was put at $400,000 by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the funds have not been availed to them yet.

Zinyemba attributed the dry spell to the mid-summer break that usually characterises the month of January. “It has been rather quiet during the past weeks with little precipitation in Matabeleland South and Masvingo provinces. The reason for this poor rainfall picture can be attributed to the mid-summer break that usually characterises the month of January,” said Zinyemba.

“During this time, dry conditions affect most parts of the country although from time to time incursions of moisture affect the north part of the country.”

He, however, said the situation was expected to change this week with cloudy conditions to be experienced in some parts of the country.

“Mashonaland provinces, Matabeleland North, the bulk of the Midlands and Manicaland should continue receiving sporadic rain showers on January 27. From January 28 to February 2, cloudy conditions should be expected across the country with increased rain showers and outbreaks of thunderstorms,” said Zinyemba.

“Rainfall exceeding 30 millimetres is highly probable in 24 hours mainly in all Mashonaland Provinces, Matabeleland North and the northern regions of the Midlands as well as Manicaland.”

He said the forecast for Masvingo, Matabeleland South, southern areas of Manicaland and the Midlands would remain with generally light showers.

Meanwhile, farmers in the country have raised fears of drought and losing their crops if the dry spell continues.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president Wonder Chabikwa said most crops have already been affected by the dry spell.

“The dry spell is mostly affecting crops, which have reached the tusselling stage. Such crops require more rainfall and shouldn’t go for more than three weeks without rain,” he said.

“Young crops can go for three weeks without rain. However, if the situation continues the crops may not be able to stand the heat. Many crops will be destroyed.”