The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND has achieved 90 percent of its set target for the staple maize crop — with agronomists highlighting that successful cereal production will depend on the correct application of production inputs to sustain the environment and production.
Maize is the most consumed crop in the country and is grown under diverse environments.
About 461 573 farmers benefited under the Pfumvudza programme which is supporting the production of maize, sorghum, pearl millet, soya beans, sunflower, groundnuts, vegetables and cow peas.
Manicaland had targeted to put 265 000ha under maize, 27 000ha under tobacco and 100 000ha under traditional grains.
It managed to attain 90 percent of the maize target, and put 19 795ha under tobacco, of which 5 100ha is irrigated and 14 695 is under dryland.
This is below the 20 921ha planted last season.
Manicaland Agriculture Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS) director, Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa said farmers must ensure that they adopt integrated pest management, a system whereby various strategies are used to protect crops by suppressing the insect population and limiting damage.
These management practices incorporate all practical methods of pest control and include chemical control, biological control, plant resistance and cultivation control.
Mrs Rwambiwa said farmers must be on the look-out for pests like fall armyworm.
Fall armyworm is a devastating pest on maize in the country and if left uncontrolled will fully establish and continue to cause maize crop losses due to the province’s climate which is conducive for the pest’s growth and development.
Additionally, its short life cycle, ability to travel across large geographical areas, and its wide host range promotes its rapid multiplication, thereby making it difficult to control the fall armyworm.
Control strategies include pesticides, cultural practices, natural enemies, integrated pest management, and resistance.
lntegrated pest management is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices and uses current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment.
“Scouting has to be done every day and control has to be done early to avoid resistance. Top dressing has to be split applied in sandy soils and where we have heavy rains. Mulching on Pfumvudza plots must be prioritised to conserve moisture,” she said.
Mrs Rwambiwa said after 25 to 30 days of sowing, farmers can apply the first top dressing fertiliser.
At eight leaves, nutrient deficiencies will restrict leaf growth.
“We are slightly above 90 of our target for maize, and the crop condition is fair to good, with the bulk of it at vegetative stage. Planting for cereals has been closed. We are concentrating on good agronomic practices. Farmers should keep their fields weed-free or use herbicides to control weeds.
“If weeding is not done in proper time, the unnecessary weeds and plants compete for nutrients, light, water and place, which obstructs proper growth of plants and decreases yields. Therefore, unnecessary plants and weeds have to be removed. This results in better production and development of the plant.
“When using herbicides, farmers must consult their extension officers for guidance and read the labels to ensure proper management, use, storage and disposal of such chemicals,” she said.
The Principal Research Officer in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development under the Fertilisers, Farm Feeds and Remedies Institute, Mr Kenneth Chipere said farmers should buy chemicals from reputable shops.
He said responsible disposal of containers is also important.
“We encourage farmers to buy chemicals from reputable shops. They are being warned against burning chemical containers. Use the triple rinsing method and engage suppliers for collection of the containers to avoid reckless dumping,” he said.
The wet spell is expected to persist, with the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) on Wednesday forecasting localised heavy rains and thunderstorms, coupled with winds.
Mild conditions are expected from today (Friday) as the atmosphere becomes less moist, leading to mostly sunny and hot conditions from Sunday.
“Winds from the south-east coast are strengthening over the east coast of Southern Africa. These should converge with the present northerly airflow currently prevailing over Zimbabwe. As such, on Thursday, January 18, 2024, heavy rains are expected over the country due to convergence.
“On Friday, January 19, 2024, the south-easterly winds should further strengthen and drive moisture northward. This will start to gradually decrease rainfall across the country, starting with the southern parts.
“This push of moisture northwards should result in mostly sunny and hot conditions from Sunday, January 21, 2024, with periodic interludes of cooling winds from the south-east,” said MSD in a statement.
