Harare — PARTS of Zimbabwe started receiving rains last week, heralding the start of the wet season in the southern region, as Agritex advised farmers to speedily complete land preparations.

The Meteorological Services Department said the rest of the country could expect rains mid this month and urged those with irrigation facilities to start planting immediately.

Sporadic thunderstorms have been recorded in Matabeleland North and South, the Midlands and Masvingo provinces and are expected to continue over the coming days.

In an interview yesterday, Met Services head of weather forecasting Mr Tich Zinyemba said: "There have been some sporadic light thundershowers or rain in some parts of the country beginning October 27.

"The rains have, however, been confined to the southern region of the country.

"From the meteorological angle, the 2009/10 rainfall season has just commenced in Matabeleland and Masvingo provinces.

"However, farmers should make use of Agritex which should advise on the onset of the season.

"Of the regions, Matabeleland and Masvingo have received significant falls marking the start of the rainfall season in these areas.

"Significant rains in the rest of Zimbabwe are expected to start from the middle of this month (November)."

Significant falls were recorded in Victoria Falls (48mm), West Nicholson (29mm) and Masvingo (23mm).

Other areas to record rainfall were Henderson and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport (both 12mm), Zvishavane (8mm), Plumtree (4mm) and Kezi (3mm).

The Met Department advised farmers to use whatever precipitation they received to plan their agricultural activities.

"This, however, depends on soil types in your area. Those farmers with irrigation facilities do not have to wait for the rains, as the climate is already conducive," he said.

He said the season was still to start in the Mashonaland provinces, Manicaland and Midlands, saying no significant rainfall activity had been recorded in any parts of these provinces.

Wet conditions are expected to continue in the two Matabeleland provinces, the southern parts of Midlands, and southern Manicaland and Masvingo.

Parts of Mashonaland West -- encompassing Norton, Selous and Chegutu -- received some rains over the weekend while Gweru had light showers yesterday afternoon.

Agritex director of field services Mr Joseph Gondo said farmers should focus on land preparations, especially those with heavy clay soils that are difficult to work on when wet.

"Farmers should also be focusing on acquiring inputs to ensure they plant early as timing is important in farming.

"Usually farmers without irrigation dry plant after land preparations, but this is mostly done in mid-November and early December.

"Farmers intending to dry plant must have knowledge on the rainfall pattern of their farming regions to reduce losses," he said.