adminPrecious Manomano
Herald Reporter
Farmers unions have called on farmers to put productive measures that increase output as the nation gears for self-sustenance in national food security in line with Vision 2030.
In an interview, Zimbabwe National Farmers Union (ZNFU) vice president Mr Edward Dune said good agronomic practices and early preparation of the farming season should be maintained to sustain farming industry.
Mr Dune said the soil is the main growing media in which crops grow adding that it is a key ingredient in increasing crop productivity.
“Farmers must be able to select the right seeds while agronomic practices should be advocated for to achieve the desired yields. Increasing crop productivity is best achieved by understanding the crop management thus planning for planting dates, choosing whether the climatic conditions are favourable for the type of the crop
Soil pH, fertility status and structure determine the crop’s ability to utilise available nutrients to achieve an intended yield level. The pH level describes the soils acidity or alkalinity,” said Mr Dune.
Mr Dune added that the choice of crop or variety to grow should always be guided by market analysis and seasonal suitability.
“Crop and variety choice is the cornerstone to profitable farming hence farmers should seek advice from agronomists.
Climatic factors such as humidity, cloud cover, wind, altitude, air temperature and the rainfall pattern are important elements in farming because they act as the enablers for the crop to grow,” said Mr Dune.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe said farmers should continue use good agronomic practises in order to sustain themselves and the country at large.
“We can assure that we can sustain ourselves. What is also important is that if farmers should follow good agronomist practises so that we can continue to produce more. If farmers are managing their crop very well, no challenges are likely to be faced, Dr Makombe said.
Chief Economist of Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) Ms Antonette Chingwe said good agronomic practices will help to preserve the environment for the benefit of future generations.
“Good agronomic practices help on good crop and livestock care, it helps to conserve moisture required by plants, preservations of soil nutrients as well as kill life cycle of pests and diseases.
These good practices do not only help in increasing yields but also provides good quality produce that help farmers access high value markets,” she said.
Government recently decided to ramp up efforts to boost production in the commercial agriculture sector through training farmers on the correct use of fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. Essentially, the Government’s decision comes in the wake of perceived growing cases of yield losses because of inappropriate application of fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides, which all point towards rising incidences of human error that is detrimental to production.
Under such circumstances, it is more painful for farmers to miss out on good yields because of such avoidable errors even if the natural conditions could have been conducive for good harvests than to lose to natural disasters like droughts.
Some farmers perform poorly not because they do not have resources, but simply because of poor deployment of those resources at their disposal.
It is crucial for farmers to realise that training will help them gain practical skills in what they will be doing.
The training in most cases will leave farmers equipped with ideas on how to navigate market opportunities and even manage risks while exposing the requirements for penetrating various markets as well.
Farmers will also gain knowledge on designing business plans to guide their operations and enhance their understanding of the skills and resources needed for successful farm business ownership
Online Reporter