Matabeleland South farmers replant as dry spell ends

Matabeleland South farmers replant as dry spell ends – February 27, 2018   FARMERS in West Acre, Matabeleland South, have started replanting their crops after their first crop wilted due to the continued dry spell as rains that fell early this month in the province have given them new hope.   BY LINDA CHINOBVA Farmers who …

Tempers flare over ‘secretive’ Arda deals

Tempers flare over ‘secretive’ Arda deals – February 27, 2018 Gokwe-Nembudziya MP Justice Mayor Wadyajena   TEMPERS flared in Parliament yesterday as Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) board chairperson Basil Nyabadza pointed fingers at the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture Justice Mayor Wadyajena, accusing the Zanu PF legislator of “acting like a …

Farmers optimistic of good harvest

Farmers optimistic of good harvest   Elita Chikwati Senior Agriculture ReporterFarmers are optimistic of a meaningful harvest owing to the heavy rains being received in almost all parts of the country.Low and erratic rains had threatened the 2017/18 harvest. Most farmers whose crops had not reached the vegetative stage during the December-January dry spell said …

Tobacco farmers hopeful to meet target

Tobacco farmers hopeful to meet target   Flue-cured tobacco Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business ReporterTHE Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union (ZCFU) says tobacco deliveries are likely to hit the targeted 200 million kilogrammes mark this marketing season riding on the latest good rains. Most parts of the country had experienced a severe dry spell towards end of December …

Allow GMO soya — oil producers

Allow GMO soya — oil producers By Own Correspondent United Refineries Limited, chief executive Busisa Moyo OIL Expressers Association chairman, Busisa Moyo, has called on government to review its ban on the use of genetically modified varieties in soya bean production in order to increase local output and reduce reliance on costly imports. Zimbabwe imports …

Climate change haunts villagers

Climate change haunts villagers – February 24, 2018   COSMAS Nyaruwata (48) leaned against his truck pondering the next move after its two rear tyres had burst along the pothole infested Marondera-Cross strip road.   BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA Nyaruwata, a successful trader who sells tomatoes in Nyanga, was travelling from Mutoko where he had gone to …

Experts urge farmers to be climate friendly

Experts urge farmers to be climate friendly   Mellisa Mutasa Herald ReporterAgriculture experts have urged farmers to practise climate-friendly activities that contribute to sustainable food security in the country and prevent global warming, which leads to droughts. The experts said some farming activities such as cutting down of trees and the use of fire to …

Rains boost for Lowveld farmers

Rains boost for Lowveld farmers   Tawanda Mangoma in ChiredziHeavy rains received across the Lowveld have given hope to cotton and small grain farmers whose crops had been seriously affected by the dry spell. In an interview with The Herald yesterday, National Chairman of the Cotton Producers and Marketers Association Mr Steward Mubonderi said the …

Mberengwa villagers appeal for fertiliser

Mberengwa villagers appeal for fertiliser   Sukoluhle Ndlovu Midlands CorrespondentVillagers in Mberengwa have appealed to Government to assist them with ammonium nitrate fertiliser to resuscitate their dying crops. Most farmers in Mberengwa said their crops were in a critical state and that there is urgent need of ammonium nitrate. Chief Maziofa of Mberengewa said there …