The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND’S planting season for maize has begun as farmers in windward regions that received 25mm in five days have been given the nod to start planting, while those on the leeward side should use the wet spell to intensify land preparations.
However, all planting should have been done by the end of December.
The regions on which it rains most is called the windward, while that which remains rainless and dry is called the rain-shadow.
Manicaland started receiving beneficial rains at the end of October, but not all regions attained field capacity to plant.
For those in the rain shadow, land preparation will help to conserve moisture, allow organic matter to decompose and air to pass.
Initially, the planting window was expected to run between November 15 and mid-December, but acting director, Agriculture Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS), Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa on Wednesday said farmers can start planting as soon as groundwater and soil temperatures are good enough for germination.
Mrs Rwambiwa said before planting any kind of crop, there are general guidelines that need to be followed to lower chances of any unnecessary loses.
If the minimum air temperature is 10°C to 15°C for seven successive days, germination should proceed normally.
No germination or growth takes place below 10°C.
In rain-fed parts of Manicaland, which are often characterised by erratic rainfall distribution, the date of the start of effective rain is a crucial factor in deciding when to plant.
The maize seed variety is also crucial as some take too long to mature.
However, planting too early may lead to crop failure as critical growth stages may coincide with extended mid-season dry spells that have become a frequent occurrence.
On the other hand, planting too late may reduce the growing season and affect the harvest.
This is why it is crucial to ensure that planting coincides with the effective rains.
“The agricultural season has started, and farmers whose regions have received more than 25mm in five consecutive days have already started planting.
“Initially, it had been anticipated that the planting window would start on November 15, but it rained earlier and some areas have attained the required moisture to start planting.
“However, there are some regions that have received insufficient rains and farmers in these areas should not plant. If the rains are not sufficient to cause germination, farmers should not rush to plant. They should use the current wet spell to expedite their land preparations.
“Since there are no hard and fast rules in agriculture, farmers should also use their local knowledge and experience to make proper decisions,” said Mrs Rwambiwa.
She said farmers should work closely with their local extension officers who have rain gauges that measure the amount of rainfall received in a particular area
Manicaland is targeting to put 260 000 hectares under maize and 100 000 hectares under traditional grains.
The majority of the crop will be under the Pfumvudza programme in which Government is giving farmers a full basket of inputs for five plots, each measuring 39mx16m per household.
About 461 573 farmers will benefit under the programme.
This season, Government will disburse 24150 metric tonnes of Compound D and top dressing fertilizers; 2469mt of maize seed, 314mt of traditional grains and 483 000 combo packs of vegetable seed in Manicaland.
Mrs Rwambiwa said the distribution of inputs has been scaled up in the seven districts of Manicaland to ensure that farmers have all the required inputs.
She expressed optimism that the early distribution of inputs will improve this season’s yield.
Technology will also be put to good use to boost the Zunde raMambo programme.
“Maize is a strategic crop, therefore improving its production through good agronomic practices, especially under Pfumvudza, is crucial as it will reduce food insecurity.
“Given the role of small-holder farmers in confronting the challenge of food insecurity, farmers need to adapt to climate shocks and implement prescribed agronomic practices.
“One way of adapting to climate-related shocks is adopting the Pfumvudza concept, in which we are prescribing the right crop varieties suited to a region and optimizing crop planting dates. There is a need to follow the Pfumvudza concept diligently and avoid cutting corners,” said Mrs Rwambiwa.
Government has been hailed for pooling resources to support small-holder farmers’ and distributing inputs on time.
Rural development expert, Professor Joseph Kamuzhanje said Pfumvudza, which uses conservation agriculture principles, can enhance a farmer’s harvest, especially in times when there is inadequate rainfall.
“The digging of the planting basins, the mulching and the clearing of weeds are part of a holistic and integrated process. Every part of the process is as important as the next one.
“What this means is that if a farmer cuts corners on just one of them, then all of them will fail. This will lead to people making allegations that the concept does not work, yet it works when all steps are followed religiously.
“Pfumvudza is also part of the precision agriculture model which the Government is promoting, and rightly so. This means that the planting basins must be dug on time, the fertiliser and other chemicals must be applied on time, the mulching must be done on time and it must cover all the necessary areas.
“The concept focuses on minimum usage of water and tillage. It promotes intensive agriculture, with higher yields per square metre,” explained Professor Kamuzhanje.
Regional weather experts have forecast that the country will receive normal to above-normal rainfall between October and March 2023.
