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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 33928, member: 636"] Recent rainfall has farmers feeling mixed emotions. Late planters welcome the moisture for their developing crops, while those ready to harvest worry about possible damage. The wet weather helps restore pastures and fills dams, and horticultural growers see benefits from the additional precipitation. Wonder Chabikwa, a Selous farmer, thinks the rain helps late-planted crops. He mentions the positive impact on horticulture and pasture revival. He notes concerns about harvest-ready maize falling over and becoming vulnerable to termites. Dam levels improve from the runoff. Soybean crops face similar risks. Depinah Nkomo of Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Trust reports that most summer crops await harvesting. She fears continued rain might harm these crops. Many farmers have not delivered grain to the Grain Marketing Board. The timing creates challenges for the agricultural community. Weather patterns affect delivery schedules. Agriculture expert Ivan Craig calls the rainfall a blessing with drawbacks. He values the water for livestock, rivers, and irrigation needs. He acknowledges that mature crops face damage risks. He advises farmers to minimize losses through practical solutions. Craig recommends maize varieties with good cob tip coverage to drain water and protect against pests. Craig notes sweet potatoes benefit from rain, unlike groundnuts and bambara nuts. These legumes risk sprouting if soaked before harvest. He suggests well-ventilated storage cribs with proper roofing. Farmers can use dryers for crops with high moisture content. These measures help preserve crop quality despite challenging weather. [/QUOTE]

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