Heavy Rains Spell Doom For Plumtree Villagers

Fear of poor harvests hit Plumtree villagers.

BY LIZWE SEBATHA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | FEB 20, 2021

After a dry farming season in 2020, Bulilima villagers were excited at the prospects of more rains this year, and the rains came—just a bit too much.

PLUMTREE (The Citizen Bulletin) — After receiving poor rains in 2020 which culminated in hunger,  Macingwane, Ezimnyama, Ngwanyana and other villages of Mangwe, Matabeleland South province, remain in despair because the rains have become too much.

Villagers say the situation is the same in Bulilima where rains have been relentless, drenching crops and fields and giving little chance to dry. Last year they were on the benevolence of non-governmental organisations and government food aid.

This year crops in some areas have turned yellow, a sign of leaching which occurs when water drains nutrients from the soil, leaching results in low yields.

“It’s been a while since we witnessed such rains,” says Norman Mpofu, a former Bulilima legislator.

“We celebrate the rains, but at the same time, we are counting losses as the rains have caused extensive damage to the fields.”
Norman Mpofu

Bulilima and Mangwe, like other parts of Matabeleland South, have always been dry prone, receiving little rains. Recent rains that have been a blessing to the region have left many in despair as they are losing planted crops to leaching.

Prolonged heavy rains drain soil nutrients. Graphic by The Citizen Bulletin

Villagers have to incur additional costs buying ammonium nitrate fertiliser to save their crops.

Fertiliser, especially for rural communities, does not come cheap. A 50kg bag of fertiliser costs anything in the upwards of USD 30.

“We were expecting better yields; however, this situation is now a challenge to farmers as some of the crops are showing signs of severe distress due to the heavy rains,” Mpofu adds.

Traditional leaders have since raised a distress call for urgent intervention.

ALSO READ: Without Property Deeds, Matobo Residents Fear Losing Their Homes

Chief Masendu appealed to the government to avail fertiliser to save planted crops from further damage.

“Not everyone has the resources to purchase fertiliser hence the SOS to the government to assist in this regard. It will be a shame and embarrassing if farmers fail to get better yields despite the heavy rains,” Masendu says.

In Mangwe, villagers have the same concerns as they need fertiliser to harvest a better crop yield. For Chief Wasu, transport challenges hinder him from collecting fertiliser from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot in Plumtree town for onward distribution to members of his community.

“The government promised us fertiliser, but I am yet to collect it due to transport challenges.”
Chief Wasu

Agricultural experts encourage the use of ammonium nitrate to save crops from heavy rains.

Fears of poor harvest come when top government officials are forecasting a bumper harvest, a development that might reduce the staggering food input bill.

As villagers complain of waterlogging and leaching of their planted crops, the rains also present new rain-related cattle diseases due to lack of dipping chemicals. Veterinary shops in Bulawayo do not have dipping chemicals.

Do you have a hyperlocal story to share?

WhatsApp us on: +263 71 863 6460.  Email us on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.