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Ashton Mutyavaviri
THE push for all-year-round horticulture production is gaining momentum with Kutsaga hosting a horticulture seedling training tomorrow to identify and discuss factors that stimulate the sector’s growth.
Kutsaga public relations and communications officer Mr Tatenda Mugabe said the training was designed to empower horticulture farmers with production techniques that promote sustainability in the sector while backing the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan (HRGP).
“The training is going to cover different topics such as inputs required in seedling production, seedbed site selection and bed construction, growth media selection and preparation. Tray filling, sowing, nutrient management, pest and diseases management, hardening-off, tray cleaning and storage and seedbed sanitary maintenance are some of the issues to be covered,” said Mr Mugabe.
The targeted crops are onions, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, beetroot and cabbage.
All horticulture growers, agronomists, seed companies, agro-chemical companies, schools, village co-operatives are invited to attend the training, he said.
Mr Mugabe said individuals who want to attend should pay a training fee of US$30 or the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) equivalent.
“As it is the Government’s push for inclusivity, everyone interested in horticulture production and is eager to learn new techniques is allowed to attend,” he clarified.
He added that such trainings would increase horticulture productivity, as growers will be producing their own seedlings guided by their targeted planting dates in line with the horticulture production calendar.
Horticultural crops can grow fast in Zimbabwe since the country is well placed geographically and climatically to produce fresh and pure produce on its good soils, pristine water and a variety of climatic conditions.
Meanwhile, the horticulture sector has recorded a 13 percent growth, thanks to the positive impact of a raft of strategies introduced by Government in collaboration with the private sector in recent seasons to revitalise its performance
This was revealed in the Crops, Livestock, and Fisheries (second round assessment) CLAFA for 2023/24, which reported a notable surge in production for most horticultural crops.
Onions rose by 6 percent from 290 628 tonnes last season to 309 008 tonnes this season with leafy vegetables growing by 9 percent from 261 960 tonnes to 285 920 tonnes. Cabbages increased by 4 percent from 607 392 to 631 659 tonnes.
Tomato production also increased by 18 percent from 336 300 to 395 653 tonnes.
The Government is rolling out various initiatives under the HGRP and the National Agriculture Policy Framework (NAPF) to boost horticultural production and enhance food security and incomes.
HGRP and NAPF are Government programmes that seek to stimulate both commercial and rural horticultural production to accelerate both domestic and export output and profitability and contribute significantly to food security and nutrition. It will also consolidate the country’s import substitution drive and contribute to foreign currency generation, employment creation, diversification of rural economies while generating household incomes in pursuit of Vision 2030.
Online Reporter