Harare — THE condition of crops in most parts of the country has improved slightly due to the rains that have fallen across Zimbabwe.

Matabeleland North Agritex officer Mr Dean Masendeke said the rains had brought a measure of relief.

"The bulk of the crop is fairly well although there are still some areas that have not received any rains for the past month," he said.

He said Nyamandlovu and some wards in Lupane and Umguza were yet to receive meaningful rains.

In Mashonaland East, crops are reported to be in a fair condition as the province has had reasonable rains.

In Mashonaland Central Agritex officer Mr Philip Goredema said: "Some crops were wilting, but due to the rains they are showing signs of recovery."

In Manicaland, some farmers had already lost hope but the situation has improved slightly over the past week.

Agritex is carrying out a national crop assessment with the first report expected on February 15.

Agriculture Minister Joseph Made urged farmers to continue watching reports from the Meteorological Services Department to be able to salvage the existing crops.

Government has adopted mitigatory strategies to counter the effects of the dry spell.

A total of 1 158 000 hectares were put under maize, 388 000 hectares under small grains and 67 000 hectares under tobacco this cropping season.