Vusumuzi Dube
Agriculture News Editor
MATABELELAND North and South provinces have planted nearly 400 000 hectares of summer crops, with farmers exceeding the targeted maize hectarage by 111 percent, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has revealed.
In the latest crop update, the ministry said the bulk of the crops are in good condition.
Farmers in Matabeleland North planted 111 227 ha of maize against a target of 100 000ha, while in Matabeleland South, the farmers put 99 469ha under the cereal against the expected 90 000ha.
Self-financed farmers planted the bulk of the area under the maize crop. In Matabeleland North, 82 720ha were planted by self-financed farmers, while farmers in Matabeleland South planted 70 331 ha.
The remaining hectarage was financed under the Presidential Inputs Programme and contracts.
Traditional grains have proved to be popular with farmers, also exceeding the targeted hectarage.
Farmers planted 50 931 ha and 63 241 ha of sorghum in Matabeleland North and South, respectively. Targets of 46 000ha and 53 000ha had been set for the two provinces, respectively.
More than 460ha of rapoko were planted in Matabeleland North and 160ha in Matabeleland South.
Matabeleland North planted 13 599ha of groundnuts, 5 249ha of roundnuts, 9 477ha of Africa peas and 56 502 ha of pearl millet, 744ha soyabeans and 137ha sugar beans. Farmers also planted 2 497ha of cotton and 13 666ha sunflower.
In Matabeleland South, 3 846ha were put under roundnuts, 9 951ha under groundnuts, 65 688ha under pearl millet, 33ha under cotton and 4 886ha under sunflower.
Farmers in the province are also diversifying tobacco production. This season, farmers planted 41 hectares of tobacco.
Some farmers are, however, experiencing challenges with waterlogging and leaching due to incessant rains.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said, while waterlogging and nitrogen leaching were serious concerns, they were far better challenges to face than a drought.
“To combat the ‘yellowing’ of crops caused by excessive moisture, the Ministry is encouraging a strategic shift in farming techniques.
“With fields often too muddy for traditional tractor applications, the focus has moved to foliar feeding—the application of liquid fertilisers directly to the leaves during short breaks in the rain.
“To support this effort, the Government is streamlining the arrival of duty-free fertilisers to ensure the ‘nitrogen gap’ is bridged before the sun returns in full force,” he said.
Prof Jiri said the rising temperatures, particularly in the southern regions, could trigger an upsurge in African Armyworm and Fall Armyworm.
“Stay in the fields, maintain constant scouting, and lean on local Agricultural Business Advisory Officers (ABAO),” he said.
Meanwhile, grazing conditions and forage quality remain good and abundant due to the rains being received.
“Livestock water availability is adequate across the whole country following the widespread rains received nationwide. Livestock body condition is improving across the country as animals continue to have access to lush rain-fed grazing. Body condition generally ranges from fair to good in most areas,” said the Ministry in the advisory.
Online Reporter