Farmers intensify preparations for new season

PREPARATIONS for the 2021/22 summer cropping season have intensified with farmers concentrating on land preparations and inputs procurement.

Tobacco farmers have, however, started planting the irrigated crop.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union director, Mr Paul Zakariya yesterday said preparations for the season were gaining momentum.

“Work is underway to on board new entrants onto the Pfumvudza scheme through farmer training. The scheme was also extended to about 500,000 cotton farmers.

“With the prediction of a good season, excitement is in the air.

“With regards tobacco, the irrigated crop is being put in and transplanting is still in progress. The number of registered tobacco growers surged by more than 15 percent and we expect a good crop and higher yields compared to the last season,” he said.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe said farmer were carrying out land preparations such as ploughing and making Pfumvudza holes.

“Farmers under the Pfumvudza scheme who are acquainted to it are continuing while others are approaching fellows for training. Preparations this year have surpassed the previous years,” he said.

On irrigated tobacco, Dr Makombe said farmers were busy planting.

“Most farmers who are supported are live to it except that some are not getting the inputs packages they expected.

“There has been an increase in hectarage although same may have dropped,” he said.

Zimbabwe is forecast to receive normal to above normal rains in the

October-November-December period as well in the last half of the 2021 -2022 cropping season – January – February – March (2022) .

Experts urged farmers to prepare adequately for fertilisers as heavy rains cause leaching and could also affect other agronomic practices such as weeding, and suggested that farmers might need to consider herbicides to control weeds.

Farmers were also warned of extreme conditions such as dry spells during the season and, like the last season, an early end to the major rains.

Soil conservation techniques such as construction of contours and storm drains are encouraged during this season.

Farmers were also warned to watch out livestock diseases and urged to stock up on dipping chemicals and ensure consistent dipping.