By Shingirirai Mutonho

STAKEHOLDERS in the agriculture sector aim for the rebounding of the sector and strides are being made to ensure farmers continue to acquire knowledge and embrace best farming practices to maximise production.
The last seasons have been characterised by low production levels as yields were negatively affected by the changing weather patterns and failure by farmers to access adequate financial support.
Despite the challenges being faced in the sector, farmers have remained resilient and strive to turn around their fortunes.
It is against this background that seed producing company Seed-Co Limited is holding pre-planting seminars in all provinces countrywide to educate farmers on how best to get high yields.
Addressing farmers in Mahusekwa last Friday during one of the seminars, Seed Co Limited sales and marketing manager, Ivan Craig urged farmers to have soils tested to ensure they plant the correct seeds and apply appropriate fertilisers to achieve maximum production.
He said the status of the soil affects 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,” said Craig.
“One of the reasons farmers have been failing to produce high yields is because they are not aware of the nutrients lacking in their soils.”
Craig applauded Government for including lime in the input packs given to farmers as part of the Government input support facility.
This season, Government availed a US$161 million farming input support facility under which farmers received maize seed, fertilisers and seeds for different small grains.
“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 was 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 and also a farmer should apply Compound D first cover with soils before putting 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.”
Soil testing company, ZimLab director, Garison Bake said resettled farmers should be told about the importance of having soils tested.
He said most farmers were not aware of the importance of soil testing; a procedure that was taken seriously by white commercial farmers and ensured they got high yields.
“Any soil type is capable of producing any plant hence it is important for one to have their soils tested and have trained agronomists advice on what needs to be added and what crops can be grown,” Bake said.
“Soil testing is not a once off procedure hence farmers should say every 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.”
Bake 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.
Farmers’ representatives have also stressed the need for farmers to have soils tested.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) second vice-president Berean Mukwende, who is a wheat farmer said he has managed to produce high yields as a result of continuous testing of his soil.
“The resettled farmers we have 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 why 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.”
It is not a secret that white farmers despite the easy funding from institutions such as Barclays Bank took decades in order to be recognised as successful farmers.
They also prioritised soil testing hence realised high yields. Therefore as new farmers take to the fields this season, experts say it is not too late for them to get their soils tested in order for them to have a successful farming season.