Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND is poised for a bumper harvest, with yields expected to surpass the province’s cereal target of 341 980 metric tonnes as the above-normal rainfall pattern persists across the province and creating favourable conditions for crop growth.
Farmers are being advised to consider multiple split applications of top dressing to mitigate potential losses of nutrients due to leaching.
Despite the promising outlook, the province’s agricultural sector is facing a significant threat from African armyworm outbreak — a pest, known for its destructive impact on crops that has been reported in several areas, particularly in Buhera, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Mutare and Mutasa districts; prompting concerns about potential yield losses.
The farmers have also been urged to remain vigilant, take proactive measures to control the outbreak through regularly scouting their crops, and ensure that the province’s cereal target remains within reach.
Efforts to control the armyworm outbreak are underway, with the migratory pest department seized with eradication of the voracious pest after Government provided chemicals and support to affected farmers.
With timely intervention and effective management, Manicaland’s farmers can overcome the challenge and achieve a bountiful harvest.
The expectation of a record harvest signals a positive turn of events following the devastating El Nino-induced drought that the country experienced in the previous farming season.
In a wide-ranging interview on the state of the crop in the province, Manicaland Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services director, Mr Nhamo Mudada said with the current humid conditions, a record harvest is expected.
“By November 30, 2024, 12 percent of maize had been planted, and this crop is in good condition, and now at the soft dough stage. We anticipate a good harvest from this crop. A further 42 percent was planted in December 2024, which crop is at the reproductive stage, and also in good condition.
‘‘We are also expecting a good harvest from this batch of maize. The remaining 46 percent was planted by January 2025.
‘‘This crop is at the vegetative stage, and in fair to good condition, and we also anticipate a good harvest from this crop. Overall, about 65 percent of our maize is a good crop.
‘‘The overall maize crop yields are expected to be good, and with the current humid conditions, a record harvest is expected,” said Mr Mudada.
Mr Mudada confirmed that they are expected to exceed their targeted harvest for the season, and urged farmers to consider more than one split application of top dressing to avoid losses of nutrients due to leaching.
“We have a thriving sorghum crop in the province, pearl millet as well as finger millet.
‘‘The total expected production of these traditional grains, together with our maize, is expected to exceed the provincial target of 341 980 metric tonnes of grain.
‘‘This is a positive move towards food self-sufficiency and the replenishing of the grain reserves.
“Given the good rains we are receiving, we encourage farmers to consider more than one split application of top dressing to avoid losses of nutrients due to leaching,” he said.
Mr Mudada also expressed hope of a good harvest for tobacco.
“The tobacco crop is already being harvested. Having benefited from optimal weather in the second half of the season, we are again optimistic of good tobacco yields.
‘‘We are encouraging our growers to plant beans and sweet potatoes. We are also urging farmers to start preparing fully for the planting of winter crops. We need to record a high hectarage of wheat this winter, like in the previous winter, and the same for barley and potatoes,” he said.
Mr Mudada said the African armyworm outbreaks that have been noticed of late are under control.
“Of late, we have noted some pest outbreaks, especially the African armyworm. We are happy that the fight against armyworm is under the excellent care of the migratory pest department. Government is providing chemicals to destroy the pest once it is reported.
“We encourage our farmers to quickly notify the agricultural officers close to them to avoid delays in attacking the pest.
‘‘Whether it is a weekend or holiday, we are ready to assist farmers.
‘‘Delaying to report pest outbreaks is not ideal, as pests have no weekends or holidays. Hence, we request farmers to continuously scout their fields and make timeous reports so that we can note the pests early, and manage them before they inflict serious damages.
“In fact, we encourage continuous crop monitoring and scouting in order to keep pests below the crop injury and economic threshold levels.
‘‘The good thing so far is that, though we have noted African armyworm outbreaks, the area attacked is very small to affect our expected yield of cereals crops in the province,” he said.
Mr Mudada said the cereal cropped area attacked by the worms is about 0,11 percent.
“The African armyworm is attacking mostly our grazing lands, and we need to protect animal feeds from being destroyed. Cereal cropped area attacked by the worms is about 0,11 percent. ‘Even though the cropped area attacked by armyworms is very small, Government wants to ensure that not even a single grain is lost to the pest.
‘‘This is why you see our migratory pest department swiftly responding to any outbreaks to manage the situation,” he said.
