LET’S TALK ABOUT EXPORT CROP PRODUCTION: PEAS

By Francis Mapindani: Sales and Marketing Agronomist (Mashonaland East)

Peas is one of the most viable horticultural crops that new farmers who are trying to penetrate the export market can start with in Zimbabwe as we head into the winter season. The Zimbabwean winter season offers the perfect conditions for production of high quality peas that are very competitive on the export market against produce from East Africa. With a Return per dollar invested of between US$3-$4, peas is a crop that can give you a high return if done well.

Three main types of peas are grown in Zimbabwe and these are the Mangetouts, Sugar snaps and the shelling peas. The Mange tout and Sugar snap peas are the most popular choices for the export market in Zimbabwe but not so much for the local market. The shelling peas on the other hand, are the most popular locally.

Mangetout peas are characteristically flat podded with harvests taking place before any seed has started forming inside the pods. Varieties with slow seed formation add a great advantage in this regard as they lessen pressure on the farmer on the intermittency of harvests in fear of dropping their product quality. Popular varieties amongst local export farmers are Snowwind and Snowgreen which are both available in stock at Seed Co Vegetables. These are stringless, industry standard varieties that produce uniform 9cm pods with an attractive dark green colour. They are both high yielders with expected yields that are north of 7t per hectare.

Sugar snap peas on the other hand have thicker pods in contrast to the Mangetout but they do share a common trait in that they are both harvested before any peas seed has started forming in the pods. Stringless pods also add an extra advantage on the market. Seed Co vegetables offers Sugarlady and Super Sugar Snap, also known as Sugarlord. Sugarlord is an extremely high yielding indeterminate string variety with average yields of up to 12t per hectare. This variety can grow as high as 2m in height thus, trellising is a must. Sugarlady on the other hand is a determinate variety that grows to a height of up to 75cm with a 7t average yield per hectare. Producing stringless sugar snap pods is its major advantage which farmers should note.

Growing globally approved varieties will ensure that producers will meet global quality standards when incorporated with internationally recognized Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) overseen by GLOBAL G.A.P. Seed Co Vegetables is proud be a supplier of top quality export varieties and farmers can take advantage of the company’s experienced team of Agronomists all over Zimbabwe for any agronomic enquiries. For quick Whatsapp enquiries on stock availability, farmers can get in touch with our Digital Desk on +263 785 883 702.