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The head of climate application in the department, Mr Tirivanhu Muhwati, said weather patterns and model projections suggested that the country would receive an average of light to moderate rainfall countrywide.
“We are expecting rains to begin on Sunday. Before Sunday, we might receive rains, which would be isolated. Areas which might receive rainfall before Sunday include all Mashonaland provinces and others.
“The country is expected to receive generally light to moderate rainfall. We are experiencing a mid-season break in the country, which is normal every year. The difference is that the mid-season break this year has been rather long,” said Mr Muhwati.

He said the department was not in a position to forecast the rainfall distribution from one area to the next but could only give a country perspective.
Meanwhile, farmers have expressed concern over the dry spell, saying the development might lead to moisture stress on their crops and a poor harvest for the 2011-2012 farming season.
The Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president, Mr Donald Khumalo, said most provinces in the country were experiencing the dry spell and it was affecting progress for most farmers.

“Farmers in most parts of the country, especially the dry areas, are generally depressed as the dry spell is slowly taking its toll on their crops. People have always tried to do their best in producing good crops, but the weather patterns are letting them down,” said Mr Khumalo.
He urged farmers in the dry lands to protect their crops for livestock purposes, in case they fail to harvest this year.

“There is really nothing we can do, except to wait for the rains to come but I would like to encourage farmers to protect whatever they have planted so far, because it is still useful for livestock rearing.
“Those with irrigation facilities should intensify and make sure that their crops are well taken care of,” said Mr Khumalo.

The agricultural extension services provincial agronomist for Bulawayo and Matabeleland North, Mr Davison Masendeke, said farmers should be on the lookout for diseases and make sure that their crops are free from weeds as they wait for the rains.

“While farmers are waiting for the rains, it is important for them to weed their crops and watch out for diseases and pests such as the armyworm and control them,” said Mr Masendeke.
“If farmers notice pests and diseases which are dangerous to crops, they should immediately report to the nearest Agritex office.”

Mr Masendeke said farmers could also do dry planting before the rains come.
“We realise that some farmers have not planted their crops. It is possible for them to prepare their land and do dry planting.
“Those who cannot do dry planting can soak their seed for 24 hours before they plant so that the seed does not take long to germinate,” said Mr Masendeke.