Author: agric-t

HARARE – The smallholder farmer who uses the smart farming-as-a-service model must pay a monthly or per-use fee in order to use an asset. The smallholder farmer does not own the asset, as is the case with the pay as you go (PAYG) model. People have the option to pay for what they use when they need it and can afford it thanks to pay-as-you-go business models.For smallholder farmers to use an asset or service, the PAYG model is most frequently utilized to minimize entry barriers. However, it can also be utilized to distribute additional assets to cooperatives or small…

By ZIMCODD At the core of the drought mitigation program is the need to ensure optimum food deficit mitigation. In 2021, the government managed to provide food assistance to 735 455 households between January to September with grain worth approximately ZWL$1.6 billion in rural areas. In urban areas the government managed to support 50 986 households under the Cash for Cereal programme at a cost of ZWL$252 million. Although government efforts are commendable it is critical to note that, the number of extreme poverty was exacerbated by COVID-19 with an increase of 1.3 million from 6.6 million in 2019. To…

HARARE – The financial results for the first half of the year are in line with the management’s strategic targets for the listed food and beverage manufacturer, Dairibord. Despite the operating climate being generally disruptive, the improving margins are consistent with increased cost control. Competitors in the marketplaces for fast-moving consumer goods must successfully control their operating costs in light of Innscor’s integrated value chain approach.It would have been comforting in the circumstances to learn that Dairibord had a plan in place to reduce its reliance on the public electrical system. The group will need to create more direct ties…

Farmer profile is an initiative in which Agricmania Magazine hosts conversational interviews that enable women to share their experiences and perspectives about their diverse roles in agriculture. Mrs Matilda Manhambo (MM), of Kupfuma Ishungu Farm in Gweru, spoke with our reporter, Almot Maqolo (AM).She joined the government as a clerk in the research department and a specialist under the Ministry of Agriculture after receiving her accounting diploma. She was promoted as she advanced through the ranks. She was a senior executive officer at the time of her retirement and thought that farming was an industry that might help the nation…

Site selection The location of the tobacco seedbed should face north-west and be warm. The objective is to increase the amount of sunshine that is available at the time, as the seedling needs sunlight to flourish. If 10 ltrs/m2 of water is needed, the availability of water is the main consideration. To prevent contamination from past tobacco remains, which harbor illness, the site should be set back from the tobacco structure. For the safety of both animals and commoners, the area should be gated. Moreover, running water for cleaning instruments and hands is required. The site must be rotated to…

By Almot Maqolo After gold, tobacco is the country’s second-largest source of foreign exchange earnings; the two biggest markets for the golden leaf are China and South Africa. The United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Belgium are some of Zimbabwe’s other major exporters of tobacco that has been flue-cured. The crop is primarily grown under a contract system, in which buyers give farmers the inputs they need to grow tobacco. Although the nation is the continent’s top producer of tobacco, only 2% of the crop is used locally; the remainder is exported in its unprocessed form. It is impossible to overstate…

HARARE – Farmers’ unwillingness to supply grain to the Grain Marketing Board due to the Grain Marketing Board’s meager purchases and the rise in the real dollar cost of fertilisers have made Zimbabwe’s food security issues worse. Despite the increase in financial incentives provided to farmers by the government for the sale of their crops, deliveries of maize and small grains to GMB depots remain below average and significantly below levels from the previous year. The government kept the 90 USD per MT incentive in place while raising the producer price for maize by 33.3% in July, from 75,000 ZWL…

Pic: Patrick Sikana (PS), CARE’s country director for Zimbabwe. Credit: Almot Maqolo CARE International in Zimbabwe celebrated its 30th anniversary on the 25th of August 2022 at Rainbow Towers, under the theme "Celebrating three decades of fighting poverty and empowering women and girls in Zimbabwe." Patrick Sikana (PS), CARE’s country director for Zimbabwe, recently sat down with our reporter Almot Maqolo (AM) to share a bit about the initiatives that have been undertaken, prospects for development, and what it's like to work in an agro-based country. This is part one of our interview. AM: How is CARE represented in Zimbabwe? PS: I…

By Almot Maqolo Despite the difficulties, the beef industry today is undeniably better than it was a few years ago. And all indications point to its growth continuing in an upward direction. Zimbabwe’s once vibrant beef export industry is long gone, but the potential still exists to reorganise this big export earner.Zimbabwe used to earn around US$35 million per annum from commercial beef exports, with 80% of this meat coming from the commercial beef sector. However, the commercial herd has now shrunk by some 60% in recent years to less than half a million head of cattle. This would have…

By Almot MaqoloHARARE – A variety of challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, skyrocketing fertilizer prices as a result of the Ukraine-Russia crisis, and currency changes, among others, had a severe impact on CFI during the third quarter ended 30 June 2022.Sales volumes were impacted by the country’s late and unpredictable rains, as well as instances of drought and flooding, throughout the period under review. This was made worse by the increase in fertilizer costs, which led to decreased seed uptake. Consequently, sales volumes for the group retail division’s key revenue drivers during the quarter werebehind those of the…