Author: agric-t
HARARE – Future challenges to food security are likely as a result of climate change's continuing profound effects on agricultural production. Additionally, as some regions become climatically unsuited for farming, competition for land may increase. Extreme weather events linked to climate change may also cause abrupt drops in agricultural productivity, which would result in sharp price hikes.Temperature increases of 1.5 to 5.0 degrees Celsius are anticipated by 2050. The COVID-19pandemic, which was marked by lockdowns, travel restrictions, personnel shortages, and altered consumer buying patterns, exacerbated the food security situation. This caused a shock to the world's supply systems, clogging ports,…
HARARE – Statistics from the industry regulator show that at least 212.71 million kilograms of tobacco, valued at US$650.30 million, have been sold at auction and contract floors in the nation thus far this year. Tobacco production is a major source of income for small farmers. Since they are unable to raise the necessary funds on their own, the small-scale tobacco growers at its core are dependent on contract programs. But according to experts, most farmers did not receive the anticipated harvests this year because of the erratic rainfall patterns. As a result, it is probable that those who have…
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector will do well during the 2022–2023 cropping season, backed by an anticipated above-average, says the advisory group IH Securities.The country’s agriculture sector accounts for around 17% of the overall GDP. Agriculture provides 60% of the raw materials required by the industrial sector, as well as 60% of total export revenues and employs 60-70% of the population.For the months of October through December (OND) 2022, most of the country is predicted to experience normal to below-average rainfall, with the exception of the southern regions, where normal to above-normal rains are anticipated. According to the Meteorological Services…
HARARE – At least 486,717 metric tonnes of maize have been delivered to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) since the marketing season opened on April 1, latest data shows. The rainy season of 2021–2022 was characterized by a false start in certain regions of the nation, a season's late onset in others, and an irregularly distributed rainfall pattern both in geography and time, which led to a reduced yield. While the country's agricultural productivity has been impacted by rainfall, other factors also appear to be at play given that Zimbabwe's corn yield per hectare is much lower than that of…
Pic: Eugene MajuruVeteran journalist Eugene Majuru (EM) currently owns and operates a successful agribusiness in the United Kingdom (UK). She is balancing work and farming. She is also planning to return home and start a farming business. She believes that there are specific strategies and proactive measures farmers and the Zimbabwean government must adopt in order to sustainably solve the problem of land allocation and ensure foodsecurity.Agricmania Magazine’s Women in Agriculture initiative allows women to express their ideas and experiences concerning the variety of roles they play in agriculture.Our reporter, Almot Maqolo (AM) interviewed Majuru (EM) and here are her answers…
With three and a half months left before the end of 2022, Zimbabwe's raw milk production has already produced almost half of the country's annual needs. The country of southern Africa needs 120 million liters per year. The country's milk production in the first eight months of 2022 increased 17% to 59.01 million litersfrom the 50.62 million liters recorded in the same time previous year, according to the most recent data from the dairy services department of the Ministry of Agriculture.Milk output has been increasing as more farmers venture into the dairy sector and the herd has been expanded with…
HARARE – The planting of the 2023 cereal crops is planned to start in October 2022, and similar to the previous year, weather predictions suggest that most sections of the subregion will see above- average rainfall quantities between October 2022 and March 2023. Northern Zambia, Northern Malawi, and Northern Mozambique may see some delays in sowingoperations because rainfall amounts in this period's first half are predicted to be below average.Additionally, the Madagascar weather prognosis indicates a higher-than-average probability ofbelow-average rainfall during the entire rainy season, which might prolong dry weather conditions in southern parts and raise the possibility of a…
By Almot Maqolo Zimbabwe’s pea planting was down by 25% this year, the Horticultural Development Council (HDC) said recently. It said growers now have greater packing freedom, which is good for them. The horticultural sector currently generates US$77 million in export earnings. The HDC estimates that the industry employs 18,700 people and has the potential to treble employment over the next four years, from 2022 to 2025. “Not only planting is down but the yields are down too due to the unusual weather conditions we experienced at the beginning of the pea season,” said HDC. “As a result, the market is extremely short…
HARARE – The price fluctuation of basic food commodities has been harsher for citizens in the final nine months of 2022. The lives of the poorest residents have been marked by price instability and a currency crisis. The majority of people in employment who receive their pay in local currency have to cope with shopkeepers setting their prices for their goods in both US dollars and ZWL$ on the local market places.Even so, paying in local currency would make it difficult for the consumer to buy necessities. A few people are generating money in US dollars at the same time. According…