THE normal to above-normal rainfall for the 2024/25 season forecast by weather experts should see all Zimbabweans, especially farmers, preparing to take advantage of this good news.

This is especially so after the devastating drought experienced during the 2023-24 season.

As a country whose economy is dependent on agriculture, we should expect our farmers to be at the forefront in expressing their jubilation at the prospect of another bumper season.

But this alone is not enough.

In order to reap the best rewards from what promises to be bountiful farming season, adequate preparations are critical.

Maybe we should start by looking at smallholder farmers in our rural areas, the major victims of drought.

  Because they are the main beneficiaries of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme, the need for the timely supply of inputs cannot be overemphasised.

And the time for land preparations is now.

There are some, and a good number, too, with nostalgic memories of nhimbe, jakwara, jangano or ilima of days gone by.

This is when families took turns to work on each others’ plots on selected days.

An important lesson learnt through Pfumvudza/Intwasa is to match the size of the land under cultivation with the inputs available.

We must also take into consideration the amount of labour required, especially when it comes to weeding and harvesting.

There is also the temptation to be overly adventurous when expecting abundant rains by attempting to grow crops that do not match the farmer’s agro-ecological region.

Thus those in the drier agro-ecological regions 4 and 5 should stick to drought- resistant traditional crops, such as rapoko, millet and sorghum.

Let’s leave maize and tobacco to agro-ecological regions 1 and 2 and perhaps 3.

As a rule, we expect the agricultural extension officers to be taking the lead in monitoring adherence to sound farming practices.

In light of the lush wheat fields, we assume all is well with our large-scale commercial farmers.

As we prepare for the 2025/25 season, we must also have our precious livestock in mind. This includes the possibility of ‘tummy upsets’ given the prospects of succulent blades of grass after such a long time foraging on dry fodder. 

Let’s also make sure our diptanks have sufficient chemicals to deal with ticks that often thrive in rainy weather conditions.

The story of Joseph in the Holy Bible, just like our previous experiences, teaches us that seasons can and, indeed, do change, sometimes overnight.

Since we are expecting bountiful rains, it is prudent that we harvest some of the water for the purposes of irrigation should the need arise.

But water harvesting should not be restricted to the farming community  only.

We find it quite disturbing that our town planners, especially those in Harare, are lagging in this regard.

As we await the normal to above-normal rains, it is mind-boggling that no major works are being undertaken to rehabilitate our drainage system, which is in a shocking state of disrepair.

Just a little rain and the roads are turned into rivers in full flood, for the water has nowhere else to flow.

The drainage system which should channel water to our main water bodies on its way to Lake Chivero has been rendered obsolete. To make matters worse, drainage systems are conspicuous by their absence in the new ‘unserviced’ residential areas which are sprouting around the city.

Let us also not forget that the anticipated good rains will boost water inflows into Lake Kariba, whose low water levels are increasingly being blamed for the current load-shedding. 

An increase in solar power in tandem with hydropower is the surest way of achieving self-sufficiency in our power generation capacity, with or without heavy rains in the region.

And what a giant step in our quest to achieve Vision 2030!