Farmers urged to have soils tested

SMALL-scale farmers in Manicaland have been urged to have their soils tested for acidity and alkalinity as they prepare for the 2019-20 agricultural season.

Speaking to The Herald, Nyanga district agricultural extension officer Mr Shadreck Chingombe said small-scale farmers should also consider soil sampling to produce more yields.

“Small-scale farmers should engage in soil sampling in order to produce better yields,” he said. “Soil sampling is not only for commercial farmers. It is important for them to know about the soil’s acidity and alkalinity while conducting land preparations.”

Mr Chingombe said Agritex had been educating local farmers about the importance of soil sampling.

“For the past two days we were in Dende and Charamba villages with other extension officers telling our farmers that they need to take their soil for sampling in order to produce better yields for the 2019-20 agricultural season,” he said.

“We have noticed that most small-scale farmers are producing less yields mainly because they lack knowledge about how important soil sampling is.

“Soil sampling and testing can show the available nutrients and other soil chemical factors that are vital for production. It is important for farmers to follow certain recommended steps for soil sampling and testing to develop a fertility management programme. Farmers should be aware about the amount of fertiliser to apply during land preparation.

“It only costs RTGS$23 at Africa University laboratory and RTGS$15 at the Government Department of Research and Specialist Services in Harare.”

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Farmers’  Union (ZFU) has urged tobacco farmers to properly prepare seedbeds and buy inputs for the land and 2019-20 agricultural season.

“Seed beds for tobacco farming should be properly prepared. Tobacco farmers should practise hygiene during nursery management and prepare the land before planting the seed,” ZFU provincial manager Mr Daniel Mungazi said.