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Fildah Gwati
AS the winter weather sets in, experts have urged farmers to employ a range of innovative frost protection techniques to safeguard their valuable crops from the cold bite.
Agriculture expert and Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) board chairman Mr Ivan Craig yesterday told this publication that farmers needed to be proactive and shield their crops from the damaging effects of frost.
The most vulnerable crops are tomatoes, potatoes, butternut, rape and summer cabbages and other heat-loving crops.
“Winter cropping comes with its own natural challenges such as frost. There are certain crops that are recommended for production, for instance onions, peas, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and winter cabbages among others.
“There are also crops that are grown throughout the year, but are susceptible to frost and most of them belong to the high value group. Crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, rape and summer cabbages are susceptible to frost damage,” he said.
He urged farmers in areas such as Marondera, which are prone to frost that remains active way into August, to choose the crops they grow in winter with discretion and should also protect the plants.
He added that there were several effective methods that farmers could use to prevent frost damage.
“One of the most commonly used techniques is early morning irrigation. Farmers turn on their overhead sprinklers for around 20 minutes, creating a layer of water on the crops that can help insulate them from the cold.
“This is a really effective method, especially for larger hectarages, as the water gradually freezes, releasing heat that protects the plants,” he said.
He said farmers on small hectarages can go for crops that can be protected from frost by erecting barriers of thatching grass around the cropped area. The grass acts as a natural insulator, trapping heat and shielding the plan.
“Other methods include applying a fine mulch over the crops or even placing bottles of water strategically around the field. Some say the method is effective though we haven’t seen conclusive evidence of its effectiveness,” Mr Craig explained.
In certain regions, farmers have also taken to burning cow dung around the perimeter of their fields at around midnight with the slow-burning cow dung producing smoke that helps to warm the cropped area.
“It’s all about being proactive and using the right combination of methods to outsmart the frost. Our farmers are getting increasingly innovative in their approach and it’s paying off through good crop yields,” he added.
Mr Craig also urged farmers to consult weather forecasters to determine the first and last frost dates to guide them in their planning.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter