Farmers urged to do soil tests

30 Sep, 2016 - 00:09 0 Views

The ManicaPost

Samuel Kadungure Farming Reporter

ABOUT 750 hectares of tobacco have been planted under irrigation in the three districts that produce the high value leaf crop in the province, while preparations for other crops are progressing well ahead of the 2016/17 summer season which is expected to start early and receive above normal rains.

Tobacco transplanting started on September 1 and statistics released by Agritex head for Manicaland, Mr Godfrey Mamhare on Wednesday, indicated that Makoni had planted more than 570ha, Mutasa 105ha and Mutare 55ha. The Tobacco Industry Marketing Board has registered 56 450 tobacco growers this season.

As farmers intensify land preparations, Mr Mamhare encouraged them to also conduct soil tests to establish the nutrient content and pH of their soils before blindly applying fertilisers. Soil testing is a valuable tool in detecting nutrient deficiencies in soils and simultaneously determines the amount of lime required to correct the pH inputs as well as the fertilisers for sustainable crop production.

Failure to conduct soil tests has negatively contributed to a steady decline in yields as most soils in Manicaland are tired, overworked and depleted by synthetic chemicals.

Manicaland targets to put 20 000ha under tobacco and 200 000ha under maize.

Both communal and commercial farmers have embraced modern irrigation technology and the contract farming system to maximise productivity. Mr Mamhare said farmers should plant early.

“So far 720ha of irrigated tobacco have been planted, and the rest of tobacco growers doing dry-land tobacco are still tendering their nurseries and working on their tillage.

“It is best for farmers to collect soil samples for testing so that their lime and fertiliser applications are informed by an expert opinion. This is the only way farmers can apply fertilisers responsibly to attain the best,” said Mr Mamhare.

In Manicaland, soil testing can be done at Africa University at a cost ranging from $20 to $25. Farmers can have soil tests done either at Windmill and Omnia in Harare for $20 or Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company (ZFC).

Crops have different pH, for maize, the correct pH has to be 5.5 to 6.5 and it is imprudent for a farmer to apply any fertiliser without prior knowledge of what the soil requires.

A farmer needs to establish what is missing in a specific piece of land before remedial fertiliser application. Different soil types have alternative fertiliser requirements and if one over-applies wrong nutrients, it results in imbalances in the soil and has harmful effects on the environment. Tobacco Association of Zimbabwe president, Mr David Mutasa, said tobacco operations were progressing well in Manicaland, with farmers targeting a yield of four to five tonnes per hectare.

“Last season we had farmers who planted around December 18, who managed a yield of four tonnes per hectare and farmers are pushing towards the highest best production of five tonnes per hectare. The quality will be enhanced through new curing tunnel infrastructure as well as an improvement in grading shades that have humidifiers and are compatible with the new tunnels,” said Mr Mutasa.

“Operations of most farmers with irrigated crop are at an advanced stage. We have situations where some have finished planting, while others are still planting. The seasons are changing due to climate change, and even the late planted can produce good quality,” said Mr Mutasa.

Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe forecast for the 2016/17 rainfall season

There is a high likelihood of an early start of the season for the whole country, with significant rains as early as late September 2016 in the Southern areas of the Zimbabwe;

Inputs, including small grains should be distributed to all regions (a) by the end of September 2016 in Matabeleland South, Masvingo, Midlands and Southern districts of Manicaland and (b) by the end of October for the rest of the country;

In view of the moisture availability and suitable temperature thresholds, those with water should not wait for the main rains to fall. They can plant any time now;

Region One

Harare, much of Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, North-eastern parts of Midlands, parts Manicaland; normal to above normal rainfall is expected.

Region 2

The bulk of Matabeleland North, parts of Midlands and parts of Mashonaland West – normal to above normal rainfall expected.

 Region 3

Masvingo, the bulk of Midlands, the extreme southern parts of Manicaland and the bulk of Matabeleland South – normal to above normal rainfall expected.

Please Note:

Despite the high chances of higher than usual rains this season, in terms of national strategic planning and development, Zimbabwe should always expect, and plan for, one form of drought or another. It is now extremely rare for the whole country to experience the same weather conditions.

There is need to continue with water harvesting programmes already underway, especially those in agro- ecological zones IV and V. We should keep in mind that there are indications of deterioration in the rainfall amounts as the season progresses.

The policies of small dam construction and borehole drilling or deepening, conservation and protection of wetlands should continue, more so in the Southern provinces of the country;

Application of fertilisers should be guided by the 10-day weather forecasts as well as advice from agronomists;

The 10-day weather forecasts will be issued from October until April.

Incentives for maize production in support for Command Agriculture should be announced as soon as possible, rather than wait until the middle of the season;

Mindful that many communal farmers lost cattle, hence stifling animal-drawn ploughing capability, during the recently ended drought, there is need to allocate some tractors and associated implements to them. After all, the bulk of the crop that goes to the GMB comes from small-scale farmers.

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