By Wendy Madzura (Head of Agronomy Seed Co ltd)
Agriculture in Zimbabwe contributes 15 – 17 % of the GDP, with over 70 % of the households dependent on it for their livelihoods (Mhlanga, 2018). It is therefore prudent that farmers be educated on the concept of increasing productivity at farm or household level. This can be achieved through embracing the ”climate proofed” productivity enhancement initiatives that are part of the Agriculture recovery plan and outlined in the National Development Strategy NDS 1 & 2 spear-headed by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Development in Zimbabwe. Conservation agriculture in its broad sense falls under this plan and will help mitigate against the effects of climate change for both small scale and large scale farmers. Effective conservation Agriculture is hinged upon three pillars
i) Minimum soil disturbance
ii) Permanent ground cover
iii) Crop rotations
Conservation agriculture techniques for commercial/resource endowed farmers involves the use of specialised implements which include no-till planters while the resource constrained communal/small scale farmers are implored on to embrace the “PFUMVUDZA/INTWASA” concept. This promotes intensive farming and will have a net positive effect on water harvesting, conservation and ultimately increasing productivity at the grass-roots and national level. Once Zimbabwe attains food security at national level, we will be able to export the surplus and obtain the much needed foreign currency to revive our industries and grow our economy thereby creating a positive ripple effect resulting in food self-sufficiency, improved nutrition and PROFITABILITY
Agriculture in Zimbabwe is hinged upon three main pillars, Access to Genetics, Access to Finance, and access to extension and agronomy services to unlock the genetic potential of crops. In effective crop production, there are a thousand reasons for low yields but only two reasons for high yields these are: Selecting the best germ-plasm or seed for a given crop and Employing Good Agronomic practices (GAP’s)
The selection of the Best germ-plasm is guided by the knowledge of a wide range of factors as well as the desired crop and variety traits and crop management (Good Agronomic Practices) that will unlock the genetic potential of the established crop (maximum attainable yield). Increasing crop productivity is best achieved by understanding the following five factors:
Selecting the right seed is hinged upon a farmer’s desired outcome and knowledge of the end use of the produce. Some farmers may want to produce for silage, green mealie or grain and variety choice should be guided as such. Farmers should select crops or varieties that contribute to household food security, nutrition and national food security by increasing the productivity level. Maize which is the staple crop, traditional grains, legumes and vegetables are amongst the crops that farmers can produce during the rainy season. However farmers should be conscious of the fact that disease and insect pressure tends to be high during the rainy season as a result farmers should prepare accordingly to avoid incurring economic yield losses.
Farmers are implored on to embrace the “climate smart”, modern innovative seed technologies which are aimed at mitigating against the effects of climate change. In maize production these include ultra-early maturing maize varieties like SC 301/ 303 (90-120 days to reach physiological maturity), Drought tolerant maize varieties like the very early maturing SC 419, 437 and early maturing SC 555, 547, medium maturing SC 657, SC 659, 661, 608 and the late maturing SC 719 and SC 727.Climate smart varieties have drought escape and drought tolerance mechanisms coupled with defensive agronomic traits such as tolerance to lodging, a vigorous root system and good tip at maturity. In addition to this farmers are encouraged to be health conscious and adopt bio-fortified crops. These include the bio-fortified orange maize, ZS 242 with vitamin A. The choice of crop or variety to grow should always be guided by market analysis and seasonal suitability. Crop and variety choice is the cornerstone to profitable farming hence farmers should always seek advice from agronomists informed choices. Drouth tolerant crops that include Sorghum (red – SC Smile/ SCHX102) or (White – SC SILA), Millet and Sunflower are highly encouraged especially in region 4 and 5 to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In picture are a wide range of crops that can be grown during the rainy season (Field & Horticulture crops)
Climatic factors such as humidity, cloud cover, wind, altitude, air temperature and the rainfall pattern are important elements in farming because they act as the enablers for the crop to grow. The altitude (height above sea level) is a measure used to describe the angle of inclination of an area and this has a bearing on the rate of growth of crops. Crops established in areas of high altitude tend to take a longer time to reach physiological maturity due to the cool weather conditions associated with the low heat units (Growing Degree Days) while crops established in areas of low altitude tend to grow much faster because of the higher heat units experienced. The duration of growth therefore affects a farmer’s cropping plans and level of productivity as it affects the days to maturity.
The rainfall amount and distribution is an important yield determinant especially under rain fed agriculture. The 2023 farming seasonal forecast has been said to be characterized by the Elnino phenomenon which results in drought conditions in the Southern African countries including Zimbabwe as such farmers should always align their cropping plans with the nature of the season to enable informed crop and variety choices to be made. The rainfall distribution is best explained by the different Agro-ecological regions in Zimbabwe. In 2020, Zimbabwe’s Agro-ecological regions were re-classified based on the climate change induced changes. The Regions have been broken down into Seven Sub-classes. Region 1, Region 2A, Region 2B, Region 3, Region 4, Region 5 and Region 5B. Knowledge of the agro-ecological regions from region 1 which is characterised by high rainfall (>1000mm) to region 5 which receives the lowest rainfall (<650mm) enables farmers to understand the average rainfall received in a given season and relate it to the seasonal forecast that is issued by the Meteorological services department. With this information, farmers who practice rainfed Agriculture can make informed decisions on variety selection. In an Elnino predicted season, EVERY DROP OF WATER COUNTS hence farmers are implored on to embrace water harvesting and storage practices that include tied ridges, pot holing and water reservoirs especially if crop production is 100% rainfed.
During planting farmers are encouraged to use the recommended seed rates and spacing to achieve the optimum plant population for a given crop and variety. This is because yield is a function of two things, yield per plant and yield per unit area. For maize farmers can use 25kg’s of seed to plant 1hectare (2.5acres) or seed packs that come with specified number of kernels (20 000 kernels or 50 000 kernels). The recommended inter-row spacing for maize is 75cm to 90cm while the in-row spacing is 18 to 25cm. Farmers should aim to achieve a plant population of 50 000 to 60 000 plants per hectare in high potential areas or under irrigation while low rainfall potential areas are recommended to achieve a plant population of 36000 to 44000 plants per hectare. In a drought inclined season, farmers should reduce plant populations per unit area to enable effective crop growth with reduced competition for resources especially moisture. If germination is poor gap filling or re planting should be done in the 1st two weeks after crop emergence. Planting should be done with the 1st effective rains (>35mm of rain received in 2 to 3 days).
The soil is the main growing media in which crops grow and as such, is a key ingredient in increasing crop productivity. Soil pH, fertility status and structure determine the crop’s ability to utilise available nutrients to achieve an intended yield level. The pH level describes the soils acidity or alkalinity on a calcium chloride scale or potassium chloride scale. This unit of measure has a bearing on the availability of crop nutrients to the crop and therefore affects fertilizer use efficiency. In Zimbabwe over 70% of the soils are acidic and as a result farmers are not reaping the full benefits of organic or inorganic fertilizer applications because acidic soils reduce availability of macro and micro-nutrients for crop growth thereby reducing the fertilizer use efficiency. In some cases only 20 to 30 % of the total fertilizer applied is utilized by the crop resulting in low yields and reduced crop productivity. The best way to address soil pH and understand the nutrient requirements of crops if through SOIL ANALYSIS. Basal fertilizer should be applied before or at planting in the form of compounds or specialized blends depending on the crop. For maize farmers can use compound D with a Nitrogen: Phosphorous: Potassium (N:P:K) ratio of 7:14:7 or blends (6:23;23 or 14:28:14. On top dressing fertilizers (AN or Urea) should be applied at the vegetative stage of a crop to promote vigorous growth which ultimately gives high yields. Split application is encouraged for top dressing fertilizers to reduce leaching and volatilization of AN and Urea respectively.
The soil structure affects root growth, water infiltration and beneficial microbial activity thereby impacting on crop production. Soils with poor drainage (plough pan or heavy clays) tend to reduce water infiltration and promote run-off. Improving the soil structure is one way of ensuring that we preserve the abundant growing media in a way that allows for effective crop growth without compromising the environment for future generations (sustainable agriculture). The adoption of conservation agriculture which is hinged upon three pillars i) minimum soil disturbance ii) Permanent ground cover iii) rotations is one way in which the soil structure and water can be conserved, Farmers are also encouraged to use manure (organic matter) that is fully decomposed to avoid the introduction of insect pests and diseases. The choice of land preparation should aim to achieve a fine tilth which will ensure good seed to soil contact and effective germination resulting in a healthy crop stand resulting in increased productivity. In addition to this water harvesting techniques such as pot holing, tied ridges and mulching are greatly encouraged to mitigate against the unforeseen weather vagaries of climate change which include prolonged dry spells and droughts.
Biotic factors are amongst the major yield reducing factors therefore farmers should always be on high alert. Before establishing any crop farmers should understand the problematic insect pests and diseases that might affect the crop and prepare for them. Some varieties may be tolerant or resistant to problematic diseases like Grey Leaf Spot (GLS) and Maize Streak Virus (MSV) in maize, leaf rust in soya bean and selection of such varieties may have a cost saving effect thereby increasing profitability in farming. Seed Co’s wide product basket has top notch varieties that are climate smart and breed to withstand these diseases as highlighted above. However regular scouting will enable farmers to apply preventative or curative/systemic fungicides to manage diseases when infestation occurs.
Effective insect pest control depends on the effective identification and timeous control of the insect pest. In maize production problematic insect pests include Fall army worm, African army worm, stalk borer chillo worm with Fall Army Worm being the most devastating one. Regular scouting is encouraged to determine insect pest pressure before economic threshold levels are reached for effective control. Effective control is achieved through the rotation of insecticides with different active ingredients and modes of action. It also reduces over application of agrochemicals which can promote the development of insect resistance.
It is also pivotal for farmers to effectively manage weeds using an integrated approach of cultural/ mechanical and chemical methods of weed control. Effective chemical/ herbicide use is hinged on the correct knowledge of the weed spectrum, time of application (pre-emergence versus post-emergence), correct application rates and the rotation plan. Weeds compete with crops for nutrients, water and growing space resulting in low yields. Effective weed control for the 1st 10 to 12 weeks after crop emergence is encouraged however it is best to maintain a weed free field until harvesting to reduce admixtures that may affect the quality of the crop at harvesting.
As the 2020-21 farming season progresses, farmers should never under estimate the secret ingredient in farming (a farmers’ foot print) in the field through regular scouting in a systematic way. This is one of the most important management aspects of any profitable farming venture). Timeliness of farm operations such as planting dates (irrigated or dryland crops) and fertilizer application type, time and rates (basal versus top dressing) integrated insect pest and disease management are all hinged on the farmers level of commitment to the farming enterprise. Farmers should integrate the above factors to obtain optimum yield levels for increased PRODUCTIVITY and PROFITABILITY. Farming is a business, It starts with the right seed coupled with Good Agronomic Practices (GAP’s)
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