Desperate farmers resort to substitutes
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Desperate farmers in Matabeleland, whose maize crop has wilted due to the
current dry spell, are now trying substitutes such as sunflowers and soya
beans.
21.02.1205:04pm
by Zwanai Sithole Harare
Maize in most parts of the region is now a write-off because of the
persistent dry conditions. Gwanda, Inyathi, Beitbridge, Nkayi and Binga are
badly in need of rain, not only to save the crops, but also to replenish low
soil moisture reserves, start rivers flowing and fill up the dams. “In some
instances farmers were forced to plant their maize crop three times.
They are now resorting to substitutes and other short varieties so as to try
and remain in business,” said he president of the Zimbabwe Commercial
Farmers Union, DonaldKhumalo.
The production cost of maize was very high compared to imported maize. “The
problem is that a ton of soya beans is currently being sold for between $500
and $600 while maize is going for $290, which isvery low considering the
inputs used,” he said.
The Zimbabwe Farmers Union reports that in some parts of Masvingo and
Midlands, the situation is also critical.
“Some good rains continued to be received in parts of Manicaland, Midlands
and Mashonaland provinces,” says its latest weekly market guide. But in the
rest of the country crops have permanently wilted – even if the rains were
to come now, most of the crops will not recover.
“The availability and quality of grazing has also been affected in these low
rainfall areas,” ZFU said, adding that the major challenge remains the
shortage of top dressing fertilizer.
“The first day of tobacco sales (Wednesday last week) performed, in most
respects, much better than the same day last year. The strict use of the
sales booking system seems to have helped to decongest the tobacco floors,”
said ZFU.
Late rain-fed tobacco is at varying stages with the majority at topping and
suckering stages. Generally the crop is said to be in good condition.
The cotton crop condition varies with region due to the varying rainfall
distribution, with the early cotton crop at boll formation while some is
still at vegetative stages. “Generally the crop is flourishing and thriving
well except in areas badly affected by the long dry spell. Planting of sugar
beans and sweet potato continued in high rainfall areas while most soya
beans, groundnuts and sunflower are at flowering stages. Some Irish potato
is being harvested and on the market,” said ZFU.