O level Notes : Natural disasters in agriculture - Hailstorms

The most devastating and major environmental factors affecting agriculture in their extreme conditions are, hailstorm, floods, cyclones, whirl wind, veld fires, drought and heat waves. There are other natural disasters such as earthquakes, which are not so common to Zimbabwe. However, these cannot be ruled out.

Crop production is dependent on environmental conditions. Optimum environmental conditions often result in high levels of quality crop production and yields. Natural events and disasters often result in harsh environmental conditions that threaten crop growth, development and survival. Agricultural production is disrupted by natural disasters in many various ways. Natural disasters can result in serious production loss,  amage of expensive farming equipment and infrastructure.

Agriculture effects of natural disasters

Hailstorm

Hailstorms are a form of precipitation or rainfall that falls as ice stones that vary in sizes. When associated with heavy winds, the hailstorm may cause considerable damage. The bigger the size of the ice stones falling the more disastrous the storm will be.

Effects of hailstorm on crops

1. Hailstorms have the nailing effect of chains of falling ice stones that fall at great speeds. This results in damage to plant parts such as leaves, flowers, stems or even destruction of whole plant crops.
2. In Zimbabwe, leaf crops such as tobacco are often damaged resulting in heavy losses.
3. Some small fruits, at the setting stage, may also be hit and fall prematurely, resulting in serious crop
   production losses as the farmer would have nothing or less to sell at the end of the season.

Effects of hailstorm on livestock

1. Hailstorms that are prolonged with heavier ice stones result in death of some small livestock animals and newly born animals.
2. The impact of the falling ice stones that will have gained speed over the long falling distance usually kill livestock animals that are not properly sheltered, or livestock in unfortunate places such as plain grass
   grazing lands.
3. Hailstorm may also damage vegetation, thus reducing the amount of fresh feeds and fodders for livestock.

Effects of hailstorm on infrastructure

1. Damage to infrastructure by hailstorm is usually minimum unless the ice stones are very big.
2. Larger sizes of ice stones during hailstorms damage roof tops, glass window panes, cause damage to
   farmer’s housing and that of labourers. This often results in disruption of operations.
3. Hailstorms may disrupt electricity transmission power supply lines. Power cuts may affect farm operations as machinery that operates on electricity would not be operational hence reducing productivity

Effects of hailstorm on farm machinery

1. Delicate parts of farm machinery may be broken or be damaged to such an extent that operation of
   the machinery may no longer be done safely or efficiently.
2. Hailstorms may break farm vehicle wind screens and mirrors, if the vehicles are not housed in sheds
   or garages. A lot of costs will be incurred, by the farmer, to replace damaged parts and equipment.