admin
Victor Maphosa-Mashonaland East Bureau
MASHONALAND East Province is this season targeting about 23 8000 hectares of maize, as the province up agricultural activities and contribute to fulfil the national food security objective.
To this the province has already set a target of 400 000 tonnes of maize grain, with the Mashonaland East Provincial Agriculture Extension Officer Mr Leonard Munamati optimistic that the province will surpass that set target. Mr Munamati advised farmers to plant early maturing short season varieties.
“Mashonaland East Province is one of the top maize producers in the country with a conducive climate to grow various field crops. During the 2021/22 season, the province targets to grow 238000 hectares of maize and increase from the 219 610 hectares planted last season.
“The province is targeting 400 000 tonnes of maize grain, this will allow the province to meet the annual requirement as well as exporting to other provinces.
“The Meteorological Services Department has predicted a normal to above normal rainfall season.
“Although the season has been affected by an early dry spell, farmers are encouraged to plant up to the end of December. Farmers should plant early maturing short seasoned varieties since we are already behind time,” Mr Munamati said.
He further urged farmers who are into Pfumvudza concept to follow all the principles of conservation agriculture.
“All households who received inputs under the climate-proofed Presidential Inputs Scheme (Pfumvudza) are encouraged to follow religiously the principles of conservation agriculture like mulching to conserve moisture in case of mid-season dry spells.
“Farmers should expedite their planting operations to fully utilise the current wet spell. Do not give up, we still have time to plant.”
Mr Munamati, said going forward, farmers should start embracing diversity and grow various crops not to rely on a single crop.
“I would like to encourage farmers to diversify and grow other crops like the African pea, sugar beans, sweet potatoes, Bambarra nuts, traditional grains and sunflower.
“Following the announcement of the favourable pre-planting producer prices by the Grain Marketing Board, farmers should also go for sunflower and traditional grains production,” he added.
Online Reporter