‘Act to address soil acidity’

Ashton Mutyavaviri

AS preparations for the 2024/25 summer cropping season intensify, Government has reiterated that farmers should lime their soils to combat the long-standing challenge of acidic soils affecting agricultural productivity countrywide.

Head of the Chemistry and Soil Research Institute (CSRI), Mr Emmanuel Chikwari yesterday told The Herald that soil acidity was a long-standing problem that was significantly hindering productivity and overall performance of the agriculture sector.

“For as long as farmers do not apply lime to correct soil acidity, the soils will remain unchanged,” explained Mr Chikwari emphasising the persistent nature of the problem making it crucial to address it immediately.

The latest national soil testing exercise that was carried out in 2022 indicated that 70 percent of soils were acidic.

By encouraging farmers to embrace the practice of liming their fields, the CSRI seeks to reverse this negative trend and create more favourable soil conditions for crop cultivation and livestock rearing.

The Government has been playing an active role in reversing soil acidity by availing lime to farmers through the Presidential Input Scheme, which mainly targets Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots.

“Pfumvudza plots are relatively small in size compared to the overall land available to the farmers and as a result, not much of the acidic land would be corrected under the Government-initiated programme,” said Mr Chikwari.

Without individual efforts by the farmers to correct their acidic soils and also robust Government interventions to judiciously avail lime to the farmers, little change will occur in ameliorating acidic soils.

And with the 2024/2025 summer season fast approaching, the remaining time provides ample time for farmers to add lime to correct acidic soils.

“Most farmers may not know the status of their soils, hence the need to take samples with the help of extension officers in their areas and submit for testing at our laboratories across the country just for US$8 per sample,.

A comprehensive soil analysis process involves the assessment of various soil parameters, including pH levels, nutrient availability and organic matter content. By conducting these in-depth examinations, the research institute can determine the precise lime application rates for specific crops and land.

Mr Chikwari highlighted that farmers could not mobilise transport to get lime to their farms therefore the need to cushion them by availing the lime to points close to them.

The greatest challenge that farmers encounter in acquiring lime is to do with the bulky nature of the liming materials. Sandy soils with a pH of 4,5 may require as much as two tonnes of lime per hectare with clays with the same pH level requiring double this amount hence transport becomes an issue.

“The sheer volume of liming materials needed, coupled with the potential transportation constraints can create barriers for farmers, particularly those with limited resources or operating in remote areas. Addressing these logistical challenges will be crucial in ensuring the widespread adoption of liming practices and the successful implementation of the Government’s directive,” said Mr Chikwari.