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Yeukai Karengezeka Herald Correspondent
Farmers have been advised to wind-up planting long and medium maize varieties as it is no longer conducive but should now consider crops like sugar beans and sorghum.
Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services chief director, Professor Obert Jiri yesterday told The Herald those farmers should shift focus on maize planting.
“Farmers must tail off planting of maize, especially the long and medium season varieties. Short-season varieties may be planted on specific areas, but this too must end in a week or so,” he said.
Professor Jiri, however, said within the planting window present farmers should plant traditional grains such as sorghum, millet, beans and sunflower.
Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust president, Mrs Depinah Nkomo said they have since told farmers to stop planting maize and focus on other traditional crops.
“We told our farmers to stop planting maize by January 15 because at this stage it is better to maintain what we have already planted to avoid making losses.
“Like here in Chegutu we are receiving average rainfall which is a good thing for the maize that we already planted end of last year,” she said.
Mrs Nkomo said they are encouraging farmers to currently plant sugar beans and cow peas.
Agriculture expert and Agricultural Rural Development Authority (Arda) board chairperson Mr Ivan Craig shared the same sentiments.
“Maize is not highly recommended for now except for those in lying areas because by the time it will be harvested rains would have already gone thereby causing low yield and low-quality production,” he said.
Mr Craig told farmers should also plant sunflower although its window is almost closing.
Those with access to irrigation facilities have been urged to start preparing seed banks for onions.
Mr Craig also recommended cotton farmers start preparing for the winter cropping season by ensuring that they are gathering all requisite inputs.
Abel Ndooka
Online Reporter