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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
FARMERS have been urged to forego the Christmas and New Year revelry and spend the holiday in the fields planting their crops so that they can beat the fast-shrinking window to get good yields.
The Department of Agricultural, Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) advised the farmers to grow drought-tolerant traditional seed varieties before 31 December to boost chances for better yields and food security in the country.
The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has predicted normal to above-normal rains across the country and many parts countrywide have been enjoying wet weather although there are some places yet to receive meaningful rains.
This year Government based the distribution of seed types and varieties for the highly successful Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme on the climatic conditions and soils of each region, to boost production.
Bulawayo and Matabeleland North acting provincial director for agricultural rural development services Mr Dumisani Nyoni said the end of the planting window for crops is approaching fast and may negatively affect those who will be dancing the holiday away, instead of planting.
“We need to encourage farmers to celebrate the Christmas holidays in the fields to beat the fast approaching window period,” said Mr Nyoni.
He said farmers should opt for traditional crops and if they elect to grow maize, they should choose early maturing varieties.
“We encourage people to grow traditional grains because they still have scope to give much yield. Farmers have already received maize, soya beans, millet seeds and what they are getting now is sunflower, cow peas, sugar beans, and groundnuts.
“Those who have sunflower, sugar beans, and cow peas can plant these varieties until January but we encourage planting between now and end of the year as we go into January when planting at that time would mean yield potential goes down,” he said.
Mr Nyoni encouraged farmers in areas that are totally dry to do dry planting and ensure that when meaningful rains start, all crops will be in the ground.
He said farmers should prioritise weeding to maximise on the little moisture and to soak their seeds a day before planting especially in wet weather.
Mr Nyoni also warned farmers to be wary of quelea birds that usually destroy grain crops. — @ncubeleon
Online Reporter