Several horticultural farmers across the country are counting losses running into thousands of dollars after frosty conditions affected their crops following a cold spell at the weekend.
Temperatures fell significantly in some areas which caused damage to tomatoes, peas, butternut, and potatoes. The adverse weather conditions caught farmers unaware as they were expecting bumper harvest riding on the good rainfall the country got in the just-ended season.
Meteorological Services Department (MSD) chief forecaster, Mr. John Ngoma confirmed that there was frost in some parts of the country. "In the past week, due to the dry overnight conditions coupled with the calm winds, ground frost occurred in areas such as Masvingo, Gweru, Mukandi, Chivhu, Lupane, Rusape, Nyanga, Bulawayo, Matopos, Henderson, Hwedza, Harare, Chitungwiza, Selous, and Marondera.
“Notably, the bulk had slight ground frost between two degrees Celsius and zero degrees Celsius. Only Nyanga and Henderson had moderate ground frost,” said Mr. Ngoma.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union director, Mr. Paul Zakariya said they had received numerous reports of ground frost that had affected several crops across the country. He said they were working with farmers to establish the losses incurred. “We know it might be a challenge for smallholder farmers, but medium to large scale farmers need to insure their crops. That is the best way to preserve their crops,” said Mr. Zakariya.
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