Maravi

(HERALD) Farmers urged to continue planting

Farmers urged to continue planting
Thursday, 19 January 2012 00:00
Felex Share Herald Reporter

GOVERNMENT has urged farmers countrywide to continue planting various crops until the first week of February to ensure food security. Presenting the 2011/12 crop situation report in Harare on Tuesday, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made, said over one million hectares were put under maize, which is about 96 percent of last season's hectarage. Last year, about 1,1million hectares were put under maize.

"We are almost half way through the season and I am happy to announce that as a country, we have made major strides in terms of maize planting. We are left with four percent to reach where we were at the same period last year," he said. "For the meantime, planting should continue with priority given to small grains and crops such as cow peas and sugar beans."

Of the maize hectarage planted so far, communal farmers contributed the bulk of the area with 64 percent, followed by A1 farmers with 12 percent. Minister Made said while this was a welcome development, significant food security would depend on rainfall patterns.

"Last year communal farmers contributed 61 percent and this year the hectares have increased. Old resettlement farmers contribute 10 percent, A2 farmers six percent and small-scale farmers-four percent," he said.

"We are also happy with peri-urban farmers, particularly those in Harare and Bulawayo as they are now contributing two percent, up from one percent."

He said the highest maize planting was in the Midlands province with 232 000ha, Manicaland (210 000ha), Masvingo (129 000ha), Mashonaland Central (127 000ha) and Mashonaland West (113 00ha).

Labels: JOSEPH MADE, MAIZE

posted by MrK @ 12:47 PM