By Sarah Mlozoa

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) principal systems analyst Wezi Ndhlovu has advised farmers in Zomba district to plant fast maturing seeds in the 2023/24 rainy season. 

Ndhlovu said this during a dissemination meeting of 2023/2024 rainfall forecast in Zomba.

Ndhlovu said the aim of the meetings is to ensure that farmers in the country are aware of the rainfall forecast from the Department of Climate Change Meteorological Services.

“We are disseminating the message to agricultural extension officers together with MET, so that they get farmers ready for the farming season in line with the 2023/2024 rainfall forecast for Zomba,” Ndhlovu said.

Ndhlovu said farmers should plant drought resistant crops as the rains will at some point stop.

“There is going to be a high chance of dry spell in January and February therefore farmers should also opt for drought resistance crops,” Ndhlovu said.

Yobu Kachiwanda, Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services chief meteorologist said Zomba is expected to start receiving the 2023/2024 rains from last week of November, with a high chance of lasting for 110 to 132 days.

“This simply means that a farmer in Zomba should plan to buy seeds which are within 110 to 132 days to be on a safer side,” Kachiwanda said.

He further asked farmers to follow all the agriculture practices and other forms of farming sourced from the agricultural extension officers.