malvernmugadzikwa
Online Reporter
Farmers have been urged to speed up planting of short to ultra-short season varieties and traditional grains for them to catch up with time amid the below-normal to normal rainfall season.
There was a false start to the season, with some farmers planting earlier but crops suffered the dry spell that followed.
The Government has however, advised farmers to plant and replant at a faster pace and also to scout for pests especially the fall armyworm.
Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services acting director of Crop Production Mr Leonard Munamati warned farmers of a short season.
Mr Munamati said: “Farmers should speed up planting and replanting, but must now go for short season varieties of maize.
“Those in regions 3, 4 and 5 must go for traditional small grains exclusively because we are going to have a short season that is associated with dry spells.
“Those who had planted with those few early rains and experienced poor germination must start re-planting.”
Farmers, he said, are also encouraged to grow late season crops like sugar beans, sunflower and cowpeas.
Mr Munamati said mulching is critical for Pfumvudza crops to conserve moisture.
“Pfumvudza mulching is still critical. Farmers are encouraged to stick to it so that they can conserve moisture so as to cater for the mid-season dry spell as well as the premature end to the rains.
“Robust scouting for pests, especially fall armyworm, is a must for all farmers. This caterpillar build-up is at its peak, from mid- December up to the end of January. These, coupled with the late start of the season also mean the crop is susceptible to attack,” he said.
Farmers are also encouraged to frequently top dress crops in small quantities.
X@TheseusShambare
Online Reporter