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Roadrunner Chickens and Waning Disease Resistance

There is heightened interest in raising indigenous chickens in the country at the moment. As the indigenous birds are fast gaining commercial recognition and widespread consumer appreciation, there has been an upsurge in the number of players joining this very promising poultry value chain. The major players in question are the breeders of the indigenous birds, fertilized eggs producers, hatchery operators and the farmers who raise and fatten the birds for the market. The sector is fast getting so organized that today one can procure any quantity of day old indigenous chicks with little effort, a feat which was not attainable in the five years ago. Nevertheless, as the sector strives to take root challenges are arising and hounding the farmers, particularly the new entrants. In the past few weeks, I have been inundated by farmers’ emails and calls regarding the issue of disease resistance of the indigenous birds. The major concern raised is to the effect that the farmers are observing a significant departure from the norm in terms of the birds’ ability to deal with diseases as well as general vitality. Traditionally our indigenous birds are famed for their hardiness, adaptability, high disease resistance and low maintenance. However, these highly sought-after characteristics seem to be waning away as the intensification of the indigenous birds gathers momentum. This article shall tackle some of the major reasons for the above-mentioned shift from the norm and attempt to proffer some practical solutions to these challenges.....

 https://agriuniverse.co.zw/technical/170-technical-matters/tech-poultry/217-roadrunner-chickens-and-waning-disease-resistance.html

CIMMYT develops multiple stress tolerant maize varieties

GOVERNMENT has hailed the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and its partners for developing multiple stress tolerant maize varieties that withstand drought and fall armyworm.

Speaking at the 2024 CIMMYT annual partner’s day in Harare recently, Agriculture ministry permanent secretary Obert Jiri said the organisation was playing a key role in developing the agricultural sector........

 https://www.newsday.co.zw/agriculture/article/200024897/cimmyt-develops-multiple-stress-tolerant-maize-varieties

CIMMYT ends the drudgery of traditional grain processing

THE International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) has introduced a multi-crop thresher to transform labour-intensive traditional grain processing into a smarter and less strenuous way of producing high quality traditional grain meals....

 https://www.herald.co.zw/cimmyt-ends-the-drudgery-of-traditional-grain-processing/

Fake seed throws farmers, market into quandary

AGRIPPA Sithole is a known major maize farmer in his area in Bikita, Masvingo province, and year after year, save of course for the drought seasons, it is a given that Sithole will have a bumper maize harvest.

Something strange, however, happened to Sithole this season, notwithstanding it being a drought year......

 https://www.newsday.co.zw/agriculture/article/200023908/fake-seed-throws-farmers-market-into-quandary

British charity, govt partner on seed banks

BRITISH international charity, Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) together with government, have urged smallholder farmers to establish seed banks for small grains, drought-tolerant and pest-resistant seeds to ensure food security at both household and national levels.

A seed bank, often called a germplasm bank, is a repository for seeds of various plant species, both natural and engineered.

As the 2023/24 summer cropping season beckons, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) continues to warn farmers of the El-Niño phenomenon, giving rise to efforts to promote the growing and preservation of drought-tolerant seed varieties.

The Mhakwe Seedbank, established by the community in Chimanimani district, Manicaland province, is one of several initiatives supported by VSO in partnership with the government and its implementing partner, Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation.

Smallholder farmer Queen Majokwiro told NewsDay Farming during a media tour in the district that seed banks can ensure climate-resilient agriculture.

“Seed banks allow you to remain a farmer who is food self-sufficient. You preserve your own seed at the same time they also allow you to sell to other farmers,” she said.

“The seeds we keep here are our traditional grains that were planted by our forefathers and they are in their natural state.”

Majokwiro, who has established her own seedbank, believes they are key in preserving and propagating first-generation seed.

VSO also capacitates farmers with organic fertilisers, including fermented and organic manure from matter readily available in communities to improve accessibility to quality seed varieties before the planting season.

VSO project manager, Simba Guzha said the organisation’s aim is to capacitate smallholder farmers in Chimanimani and other areas to enhance their livelihoods.

“As VSO, we work with well-established experts in particular areas and community volunteers. Here in Chimanimani, we have placed an ecology specialist capacitating young community volunteers who also participate in risk assessments, collection of data and doing the action plans,” he said.

Guzha said seed banks were beneficial as a hedge against climate risks.

“Famers can store seeds but also exchange them amongst themselves. This bartering feature helps to clarify which strains farmers find most useful, for example, by offering drought resistance,” he added.

He highlighted that VSO provided the platform for a blended approach on seed sovereignty, improvements of seeds in case of a disaster.

“Most community seed banks managed to keep seeds and this helped farmers after Cyclone Idai,” he added.

Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services extension officer, Pride Gowere said the adoption of small grains and good agronomic practices were key to household food security.

“We are urging farmers to maximise output production from a small unit area through planting of small grains considering the country is expected to receive below normal rains. By having household food security, we ensure national food security,” Gowere said.

In 2019, Chimanimani was struck by tropical Cyclone Idai which left a trail of destruction, displacing 270 000 people and killing hundreds of people and livestock.

 https://www.newsday.co.zw/agriculture/article/200017556/british-charity-govt-partner-on-seed-banks

Zim agric products in high demand: ZimTrade


BRITISH international charity, Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) together with government, have urged smallholder farmers to establish seed banks for small grains, drought-tolerant and pest-resistant seeds to ensure food security at both household and national levels.

A seed bank, often called a germplasm bank, is a repository for seeds of various plant species, both natural and engineered.


As the 2023/24 summer cropping season beckons, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) continues to warn farmers of the El-Niño phenomenon, giving rise to efforts to promote the growing and preservation of drought-tolerant seed varieties.

The Mhakwe Seedbank, established by the community in Chimanimani district, Manicaland province, is one of several initiatives supported by VSO in partnership with the government and its implementing partner, Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation.

Smallholder farmer Queen Majokwiro told NewsDay Farming during a media tour in the district that seed banks can ensure climate-resilient agriculture.

“Seed banks allow you to remain a farmer who is food self-sufficient. You preserve your own seed at the same time they also allow you to sell to other farmers,” she said.


“The seeds we keep here are our traditional grains that were planted by our forefathers and they are in their natural state.”

Majokwiro, who has established her own seedbank, believes they are key in preserving and propagating first-generation seed.


VSO also capacitates farmers with organic fertilisers, including fermented and organic manure from matter readily available in communities to improve accessibility to quality seed varieties before the planting season.


VSO project manager, Simba Guzha said the organisation’s aim is to capacitate smallholder farmers in Chimanimani and other areas to enhance their livelihoods.

“As VSO, we work with well-established experts in particular areas and community volunteers. Here in Chimanimani, we have placed an ecology specialist capacitating young community volunteers who also participate in risk assessments, collection of data and doing the action plans,” he said.

Guzha said seed banks were beneficial as a hedge against climate risks.

“Famers can store seeds but also exchange them amongst themselves. This bartering feature helps to clarify which strains farmers find most useful, for example, by offering drought resistance,” he added.

He highlighted that VSO provided the platform for a blended approach on seed sovereignty, improvements of seeds in case of a disaster.

“Most community seed banks managed to keep seeds and this helped farmers after Cyclone Idai,” he added.

Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services extension officer, Pride Gowere said the adoption of small grains and good agronomic practices were key to household food security.

“We are urging farmers to maximise output production from a small unit area through planting of small grains considering the country is expected to receive below normal rains. By having household food security, we ensure national food security,” Gowere said.

In 2019, Chimanimani was struck by tropical Cyclone Idai which left a trail of destruction, displacing 270 000 people and killing hundreds of people and livestock.
.

 https://www.newsday.co.zw/agriculture/article/200015039/zim-agric-products-in-high-demand-zimtrade

Kutsaga approves new tobacco agrochemicals

KUTSAGA, formerly Tobacco Research Board, has approved new tobacco agrochemicals as it ramps up efforts to support farmers to produce high-quality crops acceptable on the global markets.

In a notice to all tobacco growers, contractors, merchants and agrochemical companies yesterday, Kutsaga said the new agrochemicals would boost the quality of tobacco..

For more, please click on the link below.


 https://www.newsday.co.zw/agriculture/article/200015096/kutsaga-approves-new-tobacco-agrochemicals

Grain producer prices, incentives unveiled

THE Government this week announced pre-planting producer prices for the 2020/21 summer cropping season as part of the Agriculture Recovery Plan and launched the urban Pfumvudza programme as it takes further significant steps aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and ensuring food self-sufficiency.

Producer prices for maize, traditional grains, soya beans and cotton will guarantee at least 15 percent profit after costs are covered.

Cabinet this week also resolved to give maize farmers an extra 20 percent incentive for their produce, in line with measures to boost food security.

Grain Marketing Board (GMB) chief executive, Mr Rockie Mutenha yesterday confirmed the pre-planting prices.

“The pre-planting producer price for maize is $32 000 per tonne while traditional grains will be pegged at $38 000 per tonne. Soya beans pre-planting price is pegged at $48 000 per tonne,” he said.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement said the pre-planting producer price had a bearing on the planning, production and management regimes.

Government would also announce targets for the summer crops at provincial level.

Cabinet also agreed to raise the number of households to benefit from the Pfumvudza-Intwasa Programme from 1,8 million to 2,2 million to accommodate urban and peri-urban farmers.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa this week said Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka presented proposed producer prices which have since been adopted.

The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe is expected to announce the new producer prices this week.

“The producer prices ensure farmer viability and incentivise the producers to grow these strategic crops. They are based on a model of cost of production plus 15 percent return on investment. A 20 percent premium on the price of maize is given to farmers who grow this crop,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

“Regarding the Pfumvudza Programme, Cabinet was informed that households supported under the programme had increased from 1,8 million to 2,2 million. All the 2,2 million families enrolled had been automatically entered in the Pfumvudza competition for all the crops. A tota been trained on Pfumvudza.

“Additionally, the Zunde raMambo concept has been revived and inputs are now being distributed to 286 chiefs.”

For the Presidential Cotton Programme, Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet approved the cotton “Pfumvudza” pack comprising 6kg seed, 80kg basal fertiliser, 40kg top dressing and the required herbicides and chemicals, reducing the seed allocation from 20kg to match fertilisers provided.

Minister Masuka said Zimbabwe was headed for a bumper harvest given the number of farmers who had registered under Government schemes and started working on their land.

“We are planning for two programmes for cereals. The first one is for Pfumvudza where we were targeting 1,8 million households. We had to revise the target to 2,2 million households because we have taken into account peri-urban farmers. It means that the scheme was oversubscribed.

“In terms of maize seed and traditional grain, over 70 percent of households have received their basal fertiliser. It means this is unprecedented in terms of preparedness. It means we will have a good harvest,” said Dr Masuka.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Senator Oliver Chidawu yesterday officiated at the launch of the Urban and Peri-urban Pfumvudza Programme at the Police Support Unit in Harare saying the programme was a game changer in the agriculture sector.

Sen Chidawu commended Government for the Pfumvudza Programme saying the initiative would enhance food security for the nation.

“This programme will be a game changer for food security not only in our province but Zimbabwe as a whole. Allow me to highlight that Harare, unlike other provinces, lacks vast land for agricultural production. However, Harare has a lot of peri-urban agriculture and therefore, as a province, we are grateful to the Ministry of Lands for this intervention.

“We look forward to a successful programme and urge all beneficiaries to diligently follow the instructions by Agritex officers to ensure bountiful harvests. Farming is a national responsibility and as a province, we are pleased to have finally been afforded an opportunity to contribute significantly to national food production,” Minister Chidawu said.

The programme perfectly complemented the recent agricultural mechanisation programmes launched by President Mnangagwa, including the Belarus Mechanisation Programme.

“President Mnangagwa has continuously emphasised the importance of increasing productivity in all sectors of the economy and this programme is in keeping with the President’s vision for a food secure and prosperous Zimbabwe,” he said.

Speaking during the launch of distribution of Pfumvudza inputs to urban and peri-urban farmers in Rusike, Marondera, this week, the Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Aplonia Munzverengwi said the programme was targeting every household to ensure food security.

She urged urban farmers using open spaces for farming to register under the Pfumvudza-Intwasa farming concept for them to receive inputs.

“We were given a directive by the President to start distributing inputs to urban farmers after realising that due to the economic hardships, people in urban areas also need to do farming to fend for their families.

“President Mnangagwa is a listening President and he cares about the welfare of his people. Now that we have been given a directive by the President to start distributing inputs, I urge you to prepare your fields in order for you to receive inputs. Those who don’t know how to go about it should undergo training,” said Minister Munzverengwi.

On the livestock side, Government last month launched the Presidential Blitz Tick Grease Scheme, dip tank rehabilitation, genetic improvement, and borehole drilling under the Livestock Growth Plan.

During the launch, 34 bulls were distributed to 34 chiefs in Matabeleland South.

Distribution of one million 1kg packs of tick grease for one million cattle-owning households has started.

 https://www.herald.co.zw/grain-producer-prices-incentives-unveiled/

Duty-free machinery to boost agriculture

THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has expanded the list of import duty and Value Added Tax-free agricultural equipment, a move described by stakeholders as critical to transforming the sector for economic growth and prosperity.

The exemption of some of the agricultural machinery from paying duty comes at a time when preparations for the 2020/21 summer cropping season have started, with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement rolling out the Agricultural Recovery Plan aimed at boosting productivity.

Zimra yesterday announced that machinery such as manure spreaders, fertiliser distributors, hay balers, combine harvesters, machines for sorting eggs, machines for preparing animal feed, tractors and incubators for poultry, will be imported duty and VAT free.

Companies and individuals can also import wheat seed, potassium chloride or sulphate, cattle, live pure breeding pigs, goats and sheep, duty free.

In the statement, Zimra said when goods were imported for commercial purposes, importers were required to engage clearing agents registered with the tax collector.

Private individuals benefiting from the duty-free importations could clear commercial goods up to a value of US$1 000 over the counter without the need to engage the services of a clearing agent.....


 https://www.herald.co.zw/duty-free-machinery-to-boost-agriculture/

The Art of Mushroom Cultivation by Simba

"The Art of Button Mushroom Cultivation " HANDBOOK. Oyster Mushroom is also covered. Financial insights on mushroom production are also included This is a Train Yourself Handbook. Price $8 for pdf softcopy. Practicals and training available after reading through the Handbook. Phone 0772237773. Email skang74@yahoo.com.

 http://agriuniverse.co.zw/education-training-menu/short-courses/mushroom/the-art-of-mushroom-cultivation-by-simba.html

Seed potato for sale, adequately sprouted and packed in 25kg pockets. Multiple potato varieties available.For free advice on potato farming, seed potato supply and other opportunities and challenges you want to investigate or share with us regarding potato farming. Please call on any of our contact numbers.

Contact us on +263242746020, +2638677102506, +263772937933

 https://agriuniverse.co.zw/crop-inputs/seeds-seedlings/horticulture/mnandi-and-bp1-seed-potato-ready-to-plant.html

Maize producer price up

The maize producer price has been increased to $6 958 a tonne from $4 000, for the present marketing season, with that for traditional grains increased to $7 260....

 https://www.herald.co.zw/maize-producer-price-up-3/

Maize producer price up

The maize producer price has been increased to $6 958 a tonne from $4 000, for the present marketing season, with that for traditional grains increased to $7 260....

 https://www.herald.co.zw/maize-producer-price-up-3/