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Edgar Vhera
Agriculture Specialist Writer
WITH the rains currently pounding most parts of the country showing no signs of abating any time soon, farming experts have urged cotton farmers to adopt good agricultural practices to counter the negative effects of the rains on the crop’s quality.
Cotton Producers and Marketers Association chairman, Mr Stewart Mubonderi yesterday revealed that some areas had received excessive rainfall amounts that could easily ruin the quality of the crop.
“Increased rainfall activities are causing waterlogging in some areas of Gokwe, Karoi and upper Guruve. This development is affecting farmers in two ways – top dressing fertiliser is being leached away while chemicals are also being washed off the crops.
“We are urging farmers to observe the weather condition first before spraying or applying fertiliser,” said Mr Mubonderi.
He urged farmers to do split application of top-dressing fertilisers to afford crops a chance to at least benefit a little from both applications in the face of heavy leaching.
Mr Mubonderi challenged contractors to speed up the distribution of top-dressing fertiliser to farmers.
“Farmers must also scout their fields every two to three days to disrupt the life cycle of pests before they developed into adults.
Meanwhile, Cottco, which has contracted over 360 000 farmers this year has stressed on the importance of keeping fields weed free to achieve good quality crop.
In a recent twitter posting Cottco said: “Weed control is important in cotton production and should be observed by farmers all the time. The cotton crop should be kept weed free during the two critical stages of the growth cycle – the first eight weeks after emergence and the picking stage.”
Cotton Ginners Association (CGA) acting chairman Mr Caos Nzenze observed that a cotton bumper harvest was still in the offing in spite of the water logging concerns in some areas in Gokwe.
“We are still distributing chemicals and top-dressing fertilisers in some areas,” said Mr Nzenze.
Zimbabwe seed cotton, which is mainly produced by smallholder communal farmers is handpicked with minimal contamination thereby maintaining good quality standards renowned worldwide.
Cotton remains the most viable drought tolerant crop to grow in marginal rainfall areas under agro-ecological regions three to five.
The country is projected to surpass last year’s cotton output of 56 million kilogrammes after farmers hectarages inspired by the recently announced 85 percent foreign currency retention this season.
The Government’s decision to reward good quality cotton with the announcement of a grade-based pricing system also motivated high production. This will see low-grade cotton price rising from last season’s US$0, 32 to US$0, 40.
The on-spot foreign currency payment, as well as the favourable rainfall conditions prevailing in most cotton growing areas will provide the launchpad for increased production.
Online Reporter