Meteorological department anticipates poor harvest

Meteorological department anticipates poor harvest

Livingstone, February 27 2012, ZANIS———The Zambia Meteorological Department is anticipating poor crop yields following the late distribution of farming inputs and dry spells experienced in some parts of the country during the early stages of the rainy season.

According to a Crop Weather Bulletin issued by the department for the period 11^th to 20^th February 2013, most of the top dressing fertilizer application was done late and well beyond the recommended crop stage while fertilizer distribution was still ongoing in some parts of the country

The Crop Weather Bulletin further states that water logging in some parts of Southern Province resulted in maize crops becoming stunted and turning yellow.

However, the Bulletin describes the crop condition as fair to good, but cautions that production was likely to reduce compared to last season mainly due to the delayed fertilizer distribution.

Furthermore, the Zambia Meteorological Department has assured that the late planted maize had a high chance of reaching maturity.