STAKEHOLDERS in the agriculture sector continue to make strides in ensuring that farmers acquire critical knowledge and embrace best farming practices in order to maximise production.
Past cropping seasons have been characterised by low production as yields were negatively affected by the changing weather patterns and failure by farmers to access adequate financial support.
Despite the numerous challenges in the sector, farmers have remained resilient.
This paid off as yields from the previous season improved.
As the country steps up efforts to revive the agriculture sector, farmers should continue acquiring knowledge on how to run farms professionally in order to improve production, an agronomist told The Patriot this week.
For a farmer to get maximum yields, experts contend, land preparation must be done soon after harvesting.
Key activities that affect yield include timely winter ploughing and lack of soil testing.
Agronomist Ivan Craig says farmers must get their soil tested to ensure they plant the correct seeds and apply right fertilisers to achieve maximum production.
He said the status of the soil affected the growth of the plants and ultimately the yields.
“It is important that farmers have soils tested so that they are aware of the relevant nutrient deficiencies and start addressing them,” he said.
Craig said for soils to be tested, there are requirements farmers have to meet.
“It is important farmers apply lime and gypsum to their soils, especially soon after winter ploughing the fields, that is three months before planting,” said Craig.
“By so doing, the lime and gypsum will re-nourish the soils before the planting stage and this will help increase the yields.
“Lime should be applied after every four years and it should be applied after the soils have been tested.”
After having soils tested, Craig said it is important that farmers also apply the right amount of fertilisers to the soils.
“Farmers should use the correct methods of planting, with hand planting being the best. Also, farmers should apply Compound D first, cover with soils before putting in the seeds,” he said.
“When it comes to Ammonium Nitrate, a farmer should use the measured cups so that they apply the right amount and it should be applied at least 10 centimetres away from the plant.
“The resettled farmers work hard on the farms, hence it is important that we follow through the right channels to maximise production,” he said.
“Some of the reasons some farmers, every year, fail to meet their targets despite using quality seeds and fertilisers is because they do not know the right varieties that are suitable for their soils.
“By knowing one’s soil, one is aware of the right seed variety to use, the right amounts of fertilisers and chemicals to apply.”
All soil types, Craig said, had the potential to produce any crop.
“Any soil type is capable of producing any plant hence it is important for farmers to have their soils tested and have trained agronomists’ advice on what needs to be added and what crops can be grown,” he said.
“Soil testing is not a once-off procedure, hence farmers should now and then have soils tested because nutrients are lost every season the land is used.
“Even sandy soils are capable of producing a good quality crop. What a farmer has to do is to have it analysed by experts and advised on what to add to the soil and what to grow.”
Craig urged farmers to use reputable companies that specialise in soil testing when seeking advice.
“There are a number of companies and laboratories that specialise in soil testing and they are there to assist farmers make informed decisions,” he said.
Once soils have been tested, Craig said, it is critical for farmers to practise winter ploughing.
“Most farmers ignore winter ploughing, but it is important that after harvesting, farmers plough the land,” he said.
“Winter ploughing helps conserve moisture, decomposition of stalks and leaves that would have been left in the fields after harvesting.”
Winter ploughing helps conserve residual moisture which helps when farmers plant with the first rains and assists in weed control.
“If the fields are not ploughed, weeds continue to grow and scatter seeds around the fields but through ploughing, the weeds are ploughed under and they also decompose and become manure,” Craig said.
If correct procedures are followed and yields maximised, farmers will be able to break even, inevitably revamping the agricultural sector.