adminHeather Charema Mash West Correspondent
Commercial and subsistence farmers interested in growing sugar beans should start planting their crops, Mashonaland West Provincial Agritex officer, Mrs Edinah Shambare, has said.
Sugar beans account for a significant percentage in the gross agricultural production in Zimbabwe and Government has been on a drive to promote production to boost food security, especially in drought-prone areas like Masvingo, parts of the Midlands and Matabeleland.
However, some farmers in Mashonaland West province have turned to sugar beans after their maize crop was affected by the prolonged dry spell in January. In an interview on Friday last week, Mrs Shambare said all farmers who intended to grow sugar beans could start planting now while considering good varieties.
“This is the right time to plant sugar beans and all farmers who want to venture into sugar bean production should start planting now. Farmers should choose varieties that are resistant to diseases and plant in well-drained fertile soils,” she said. Mrs Shambare said farmers should follow the correct procedures of growing the crop to boost the yield levels in the province.
“Sugar bean farmers should follow proper procedures on growing the crop starting from land preparation to harvesting. Like any other crop, sugar beans need basal fertilisers and respond to basal manure and fertiliser application. Proper application of these basal fertilisers while inoculating is very essential in boosting our yields in the province.”
She added: “Liming is also an important factor in sugar bean production because sugar beans are sensitive to acid soils and should consider acidity and alkalinity.” Mrs Shambare said farmers should take weed and pest control seriously as they were factors that reduced yields.
“Weed control is also a contributing factor to the overall yield. Pest control is as important. Farmers should scout for diseases such as rust, angular leaf spot and anthracnose. They should be aware of bacterial and viral diseases and control with fungicides were necessary,” she said. According to Seed Co’s sugar bean production manual, lack of water and frost may also affect sugar beans production.
Online Reporter