ProAgri BNZ 27 by ProAgri

ProAgri B otswa n a / N am i b ia/ ia / Zim b ab w e No 27

Free

How to control erosion Botswana page 19

Namibia

Senwes provides solutions for every farmer World Soil Day 2021

page 29

Zimbabwe page 38

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ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 27 www.proagri.co.za

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Cover

inally, we have come to the end of yet another challenging year. This year tested farmers in Africa and yet we are constantly reminded of the poet, Robert Frost, who said: “In three words I can sum up everything that I’ve learned about life: it goes on!” Through the challenges we face, one thing is for sure – there is never a dull moment in the agricultural industry. All the hard times we face leave farmers prepared for the next challenge. To all the farmers who supported ProAgri this year by welcoming our journalists onto your farms, answering many questions, and reading our magazine: Thank you for enabling us to continue serving agriculture in Africa as we have for more than five years.

Content

And on a personal note, thank you to the ProAgri team for the care and tireless effort each one of you put into ProAgri to serve farmers with valuable and useful information. To all our readers and partners, I pray that you have a peaceful time of rest in the company of those you love. We appreciate all your support and partnership in 2021, and we are looking forward to an even closer and more fruitful collaboration in 2022 and beyond! And most of all, I pray for rain to saturate Africa’s parched earth. Farm smartly! Bianca Henning bianca@proagri.co.za

Agrico takes sugar cane irrigation to a new level

AGI provides solutions from farm to feed factory

AgriTurf, the backbone of Reinke in Namibia

Poultry farming Part 2: Planning

15.

World Soil Day: Healthy soil, healthy food

19.

Vegetable planting guide Part 8: Tomatoes

25.

Rabbit farming: Here is an affordable start for new farmers

29.

Crop production in Namibia Part 4: General crop production

34.

Namibia’s first ever Specialist Irrigation Day

38.

Sheep farming made easy Part 9: Flock nutritional requirements

43.

Rotary tillers are simple but effective Part 6: Location of the drive, power requirements and principles of rotary tillage Zimbabwe had a bumper harvest: What went right and what needs work

ProAgri B ot s wa n a/ a / N a m i b i a/ a/Zimbabwe

577 Rossouw Street, Die Wilgers, Pretoria +27 (0)79 515 8708 www.proagri.co.za Copyright © 2021. All rights r eserved. No m aterial, text or p hotographs may be r eproduced, copied or in any other way t ransmitted without the written consent of the publisher. O pinions expressed are not n ecessarily those of the publisher or of the e ditor. We recognise all trademarks and logos as the sole property of their r espective o wners. ProAgri shall not be liable for any errors or for any actions in reliance thereon.

ProAgri

11.

46.

Agrico is following the tried and tested route of adapting to modern technology. Read more in this edition of ProAgri BNZ about sugarcane farmers who enjoy the sweet success of their investment.

Editor Bianca Henning > +27 82-326-2572 bianca@proagri.co.za Reporters Benine Ackermann > +27 73-105-6938 benine@proagri.co.za Specialist Writer Annemarie Bremner > +27 82-320-3642 annemarie@proagri.co.za Client Relations Manager: Carin Swartz > +27 84-233-0123 carin@proagri.co.za Marketing Manager Diane Grobler > +27 82-555-6866 diane@proagri.co.za Marketing Xander Pieterse > +27 79-524-0934 xander@proagri.co.za Johan Swartz > +27 71-599-9417 johan@proagri.co.za Tiny Smith > +27 82-698-3353 tiny@proagri.co.za Janine Vermaak > +27 71-872-3059 janine@proagri.co.za Creative Director Christiaan Joubert > +27 72-419-3990 christiaan@proagri.co.za Design Michelle Kruger & Lizelle Erasmus Enquiries Engela Botha > +27 12-803-0782 engela@proagri.co.za Accounts Ronel Schluter > +27 12-803-0782 accounts@proagri.co.za Business Manager George Grobler

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 27

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Agrico takes sugar cane irrigation to a new level W

here there is a will, Agrico will find a way — even if it means spending days in the bush, digging trenches, laying pipelines, finding ingenious pumping solutions, and getting it all done in temperatures that can soar above 50 degrees Celsius! Eco Farm Mozambique, run by Rademan Janse van Rensburg, can now irrigate another 650 hectares of organically produced sugar cane after Agrico supplied twenty centre pivots, two pump stations, a distribution dam, a river canal, a lined canal, and a complete Agrico Web Control automated system. Agrico’s Project Manager on site, Malan le Roux, says: “When I met Rademan in 2007, the whole development was only a dream. There were three tents on the bank of the Zambezi, and we tried making plans to generate power from the river to start the development.” The turning point came when a power line running from Cahora Bassa was constructed right over the farm, bringing a lifeline of electricity. With financial aid from the Netherlands and a consortium of investors, Eco Farm Mozambique, under the leadership of Rademan, came to life as Outgrowers of a large scheme. The first phase was developed right next to the Zambezi, the fourth largest river in Africa. For the second phase being developed up to 11 km away from the river, Rademan called in the help of Agrico. Malan says: “We spent many days

A pump station was built before the canal was opened to the river.

EcoFarm - Mozambique 5.4 30.1Ha

160/6

17° 18' 00" S

3.6 41.4Ha

Start

31 5/ 6 1m

P1.10

25 0/ 43 6( 5m x2

34.1Ha

)

IPS1

22Ha

P1.4

P1.5

23.8Ha

J3 282 m 160/6

P1.7 15Ha

P1.8

60Ha

17° 20' 00" S

D1.1.2 4.1Ha

P1.2

30Ha

750m

250/6

25 92 0/6 0m

19.5Ha

15.4Ha D1.1.1

P1.3

0/6

P6.1 89

Canal

55.4Ha

66.9Ha

25 200/6 14 0 m 133 m 0/6 J1

140/6 m 634

/6 m 353

500

/6 160 m 536

Piets'Pivot

0/6 25 7m 33

41.4Ha

15Ha

174

P1.9 30Ha

19.5Ha

P1.11

500

54.4Ha

50 96 0/6 0m

5/6 39 0m

P2.5

P1.14

25.4Ha

P1.11

/6 250 m 950

2.3 6

P1.12

30.1Ha

2.2

463 m 250/6 & 160/6

Unlined Canal

315/6 m 368

Cana

0/6 25 m 9 64

250/6 1 016m

17° 19' 00" S

IPS2

30.7Ha

6 0/ 50 0m 26

J22

Lined

Dam

River Pump Station

400/6 682 m

62.9Ha

315/6 m 737

0/6 0m 33

0/6 16 0m 36

J23 6 0/ 40 1m 40

2.1

P1.13

16 40 0/6 m

er la Riv 30.1Ha

400/6 1365 m

3.1 30.1Ha 160/6 460m

576m

2470

19.5Ha

315/6

Mogo

20 0/ 6 2m

30.1Ha

19.5Ha

4.1 30.1Ha

3.4

25 0/ 6 0m

J24

3.2

/6 160 m 577

/6 200 m 376

3.3

P1.16

16 0/6 37 1m

250/ 6 467m

4.3

32Ha

19.5Ha

15.6Ha

D1.1.3

400 /6 143 6m

927

3.5

160

23.9Ha

160/6 484 m

200/6 827m

19.5Ha

2.4

27.7Ha

18.7Ha

6 0/ m 47 32

364

4.2

P1.18

P1.17

4.4 200

/6 200 m 270

0/6 25 0m 57

0/6 20 0m 34

5/6 31 0m 35

631m 315/6

4.6 30.1Ha

250/6

315/6

732m

4.5 30.1Ha

20.4Ha

265 m 250/6

718 m 200/6

0/6 16 1 m 11 J9

592 m

55.4Ha

Z A M B EZ I

250/6 833m

5.1

315/6 250/6 100m 575 m 200/6 (2x) 675 m

1671m

5.2 55.4Ha

5.3 55.4Ha

walking through the bush measuring the exact position and size of every centre pivot. At times the temperature would shoot up to a humid 53 degrees, and I often drank more than six litres of water a day to stay hydrated.” Constant hydration is also what the sugar cane needs. The area on the northern territory of Mozambique, roughly 200 km upstream from the Zambezi Delta, has relatively low rainfall. It was specifically chosen so that the water application could be controlled throughout the year and there could be access with tractors and implements in the fields for a continuous tilling, mulching, planting, and harvesting process. A premium is being paid for

organically produced sugar, but it also entails excellent management in a circular system with cattle providing twenty tonnes of composted manure per hectare every year. Only the pivot areas are cleared and worked, with the natural bush growing between all the fields, contributing to the aim of running the operation as close to nature as possible. The main challenge was to get the water from the river to the pivots. A river extraction canal was trenched, and a pump station was built before the canal was opened to the river. The water level of the river rises and falls with a six-metre difference at times, making it very difficult to pump directly from the river. In the canal, the water flow slows down, allowing sediment to sink to the bottom and enabling the pumps to pump cleaner water. Vertical turbines were installed with the electrical motors staying dry in the pump station. Building the foundation of the pump station was quite a challenge as it is in the floodplain, and had to be kept dry while construction continued in the rainy season. From the pump station, a 500 mm diameter pipeline, 2,5 km long, delivers the water to a lined canal — a cost effective way of transporting the water another 2,5 km to the distribution dam. Only when the water source was secured did the actual construction on the pivots start, with their pipelines and cabling being installed from the distribution dam pump station. Variable speed drives (VSD’s) were installed from the start to save energy and provide automatic control. The twenty pivots range from four towers covering 19,5 ha to 7 towers covering 55 ha. All the pivots have high profiles to allow the effective irrigation of tall sugar cane plants. The whole irrigation system is controlled electronically, and even in Agrico’s control room in Bellville near Cape Town, the speed, direction, and water flow of every pivot can be monitored. “Now you can literally hear the sugar cane growing early in the morning and late in the afternoon,” jokes Malan.

66.9Ha

Ca ed

0/ 14

Lin

End al

P6.3 66.9Ha

Can

Booster Station

20 0/6 6m

1000 400/6 853 m

7.6

PHASE 2 BLOCK 7

58.4Ha

1045m

250/

17° 22' 00" S

7.3 58.4Ha

This map shows the entire Eco Farm Mozambique sugar cane irrigation project with the indicated area being the recently completed phase.

0.5km

1km

1.5km

34° 59' 00" E

34° 58' 00" E

34° 57' 00" E

34° 56' 00" E

34° 55' 00" E

34° 54' 00" E

34° 53' 00" E

400/9

7.5

34° 52' 00" E

17° 21' 00" S

315/9

700 m

EDM LINE EXISTING BA LINE TE CHEM

315/6

PRIVA

58.4Ha 450 m

58.4Ha

D1.1.4 24 ha

7.4

/6 m

6 0/

250 117

7.2 58.4Ha 250/6 981m

42Ha

250/6 760m

58.4Ha

20 m 90 10 6 0/ 16 m

P1.6

P6.2

7.1

You can also see your business grow with Agrico’s tailor-made solutions. Send an e-mail to sales@agrico.co.za or visit www. agrico.co.za. ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 27

AGI IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING OF GRAIN STORAGE AND HANDLING EQUIPMENT. STORAGE | CONVEYORS | BUCKET ELEVATORS STRUCTURES | CLEANERS | DRYERS TEMPERATURE SENSING TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT

africasales@aggrowth.com +27 (0)71 633 5365

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ProAgri BNZ 27

AGI provides solutions from farm to feed factory

LFL required a new facility for their increasing maize storArticle supplied age needs. With this in mind, AGI EMEA included a control GI is well known for their grain cabinet and electrical installation matehandling facilities on farms and at rial with a PLC system to go with their silos, but they have proven in Mauritius storage and handling equipment, which that they also have the solutions for includes two flat bottom silos and one the bulk handling of material at feed truck loading silo providing 16 000 factories. tonnes storage capacity, chain conveyLivestock Feed Limited (LFL) headors and bucket elevators at 200 t/hr quartered in Pailles, Mauritius, is a capacity and a rotary drum pre-cleaner leader in animal feed production, coupled with a hyper cyclone. storage, and transport services throughout the Indian Ocean region. Founded in 1977 by Michel de Speville, the company has expanded their presence and service offering to include aquaculture divisions, LFL Riche Terre, and unloading and storage of bulk commodities such as maize with their division Agrobulk Ltd. Today, LFL’s operations produce 150 000 metric tonnes of feed annually. LFL’s strong team of nutritionists, process engineers and technicians AGI EMAE provided the solutions work together to execute their misneeded by Livestock Feed Limited sion to contribute to the sustainable (LFL) in Pailles, Mauritius, to updevelopment of the animal feed and grade their bulk material handling aquaculture sector. With their vision capacity. to become the feed partner of choice for the Indian Ocean and East Africa region, LFG has partnered with AGI on their latest facility in Riche Terre, Mauritius. In 2018 LFL’s growth required a new facility for their increasing storage requirements for maize. Through previous work with AGI’s food division AGI SABE, LFL was introduced to team members from AGI EMEA to lead the project. AGI EMEA’s engineer and sales team worked with LFL team to define their facility The two impressive flat bottom silos needs, and to build a high-performance, and one truck-loading silo provide automated production plant. The new 16 000 tonnes storage capacity and facility was completed in February 2021. can withstand winds of 280 km/h.

With over 30 years of experience in grain storage and handling, AGI FRAME is one of Europe’s largest and most respected manufactures of all types of corrugated steel silos for commercial and agricultural applications. AGI FRAME’s team of engineers worked with LFL to identify and construct the right combination of storage equipment for the specific project. “Our project of setting up maize storage silos complete with all handling equipment was a very challenging one due to the space limitations on our existing plot of land. However, AGI EMEA managed to deliver an optimised solution by supplying us with high quality silos at competitive prices and at short lead times in spite of the Covid-19 restrictions,” says Kailash Issur, Engineering Manager, LFL Pailles. AGI PTM’s experience and skilled team of in-house engineers make them the right partner. AGI PTM delivers solutions across a range of applications and industries including storage and mechanisation of port installations to serve grain traders, millers, feed-mills, pelletisers, bio-fuel processing plants, engineering companies and contractors around the world. AGI PTM delivered LFL Pailles’ handling equipment, including chain conveyors, elevators, slides, and valves, with the necessary ductworks and shock absorbers. AGI EMEA’s team of sales staff, engineers and technicians worked together to deliver the best possible outcome for LFL Pailles. The AGI EMEA team provided start to finish support for LFL, by first identifying LFL’s business and facility requirements. The next step was for the engineers to review the location before designing the layout for the facility. A key step to this process was considering the climate and environment, recognising Mauritius’ strong ocean winds. AGI EMEA provided a silo designed to withstand 280 km/h winds. “The professional approach from AGI EMEA’s team right from the design stage to the project execution stage with the delegation of a highly experienced supervisor, was greatly appreciated,” states Kailash Issur. Communication and project management were key to the success of the LFL Pailles facility. The AGI EMEA team provided full-time supervision for the project, ensuring an efficient delivery schedule and timelines through to commissioning were kept on track. For more information on how AGI EMEA can partner with you to grow your business, contact them on +27(0)-71-633-5365, or send an email to Africasales@aggrowth.com. You may also visit their website on www.aggrowth.com. ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 27

FARM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED Contact us to see what a pivot will look like on your farm

Patrick Ellis

+27 (0)31 350 4525

www.reinke.com

patrickellis@reinke.com

ProAgri BNZ 27

AgriTurf, the backbone of Reinke in Namibia by Bianca Henning

he lack of water and late annual rainfall is a constant concern for Namibian farmers. Each day, they look at the horizon for signs of rain to relieve their livestock and crops from drought. The need for a reliable water supply is extremely high for this Southern African country. Irrigation demands an energy-efficient and reliable system as crops depend on it to thrive in the arid weather conditions of Namibia. The solution Three years ago, Wilhelm and Marco de Wet saw an opportunity in the market to provide irrigation related products and solutions to farmers in Namibia. “We partnered up with popular irrigation companies and suppliers to provide durable and sustainable solutions to our clients,” says Wilhelm de Wet, Owner and Director of Agriturf Namibia. “Our customers do not only buy AgriTurf Namibia products, they buy an AgriTurf commitment; a Namibian commitment that goes well beyond the purchase — by offering our clients ongoing advice, knowledge, technology and global expertise,” says Wilhelm. AgriTurf’s relationship with Reinke Irrigation “Our relationship with Reinke started quite a few years ago in South Africa when I still actively did business there,” says Wilhelm. “As Reinke expanded to the African countries we had more interaction with them, so when we expanded our business in Namibia, I already had a relationship with Reinke which made the interaction with them much easier.” Reinke’s footprint in Africa “Due to the long road I have walked

The AgriTurf team: Michael, Wilhelm, Keenan, Lukas, Azander, Enrico, Agathe, Marco, Mica and Björn.

with Reinke before, it was a natural outcome when we started looking at pivot suppliers for our clients in Namibia. Reinke offers a decent brand to our clients,” Wilhelm explains. “From my background of constantly doing business in Africa, and the products that we distribute to the rest of Africa, I have interacted with dealers who worked with the Reinke systems in places like Zimbabwe and Zambia and it was very clear that the quality of Reinke's products is suitable for Africa. It is something you set up and it will operate constantly for twenty years or more. When installed properly, it is a product that you can completely leave, rely on and almost forget about in more challenging conditions, and it will run hundred percent on its own,” says Wilhelm.

Marco and Wilhelm de Wet, owners of Agriturf Namibia. AgriTurf Namibia AgriTurf Namibia has learnt that in today’s world, using the best products is simply not enough. The true measure of irrigation and water management success lies in the planning of proposed solutions. “We focus on the needs of our farmers and our clients. The process that we follow is an integrated process starting from a needs analysis, soil and water examinations, design, erection on the farm according to our clients’ specific needs. We offer site plans with detailed irrigation and water supply designs and specifications,” says Marco de Wet, Co-owner of AgriTurf. Wilhelm says: “What also makes us different from our competitors in Namibia, is the fact that Marco is able to do the installations and designs to adjust the pump system and alternatively integrate all the components in

Marco de Wet of AgriTurf checking the sprinklers of a Reinke pivot on a farm. Everything is in order. order to run the whole pivot on a solar system. That ability makes our company unique in Namibia.” AgriTurf is the only business that has the ability to provide a total solar solution to farmers — which makes it a one-stop service for the farmer. When the pivot starts to operate no interaction of the farmer, or the workers are needed, the pivot takes care of itself. The outcome The services, products, and solutions offered by AgriTurf have relieved farmers of the crippling consequences of late rainfall so that they could continue to grow their crops and feed their livestock, thus contributing to meeting the demand for food for the country. “Our team is committed to helping our customers with superior solutions that make a meaningful difference in the management of water and irrigation,” states Wilhelm. For more information on how AgriTurf can assist you with all your irrigation needs and the distribution of Reinke products in Namibia, contact them at sales@ agriturf.com.na or (+264)83330-8380, or visit their website www.agriturfnamibia.com. Alternatively, contact Patrick Ellis at +27(0)31-350-4525, or e-mail patrickellis@reinke.com, or visit their website at www.reinke.com for more information. ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 27

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ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 27

ProAgri BNZ 27

by Tisha Steyn

Poultry farming Part 2:

Planning I

n the Introduction to Poultry Farming in Issue 70 of ProAgri Zambia and Issue 26 of ProAgri BNZ, we discussed the advantages of such an enterprise, but also the problems you may encounter. Chickens will be a valuable and profitable addition to your existing smallscale farming, but you need a proper plan to ensure that it is sustainable. That means you do not want to spend money on chickens, henhouses and feed and then lose it all, because you run out of money due to poor planning. Here are twelve factors to consider when you are interested in starting poultry farming: Time You must keep in mind that farming poultry is a fulltime job. You will have to be present all the time to make sure the chickens are well cared for by doing the necessary, ongoing tasks.

Once you buy day-old chicks, it is your responsibility to keep the brooder clean and warm, give them fresh, clean water and ensure that they have enough to eat. It may also be necessary to help weak chicks to eat and drink. Expect to get up at night to make sure they are warm in case the heating system has stopped working. Even when the chickens are bigger, you still must take special care of the broilers and layers. You must ensure they have enough water and feed, keep their houses clean, and keep rodents, predators, and thieves away from them. Space You need a suitable space in your yard to keep chickens. You need a safe place to put the brooder for the chicks, as well as enough space to put up housing for broilers meant to be slaughtered in 42 days’ time, and layers that will

Layer hens can run around during the day to find their own food, like bugs or vegetation. (Source: Pixabay) provide you with eggs for at least a year. You will also need a sturdy, lockable room for storing feed, medicine, cleaning materials, and clean clothing and shoes. Water You need a constant supply of fresh, clean water for your chickens to drink, and to properly sanitise the broiler house after every cycle, and the layer house once a year before you replace the layers. It is best not to use water from a nearby stream, as it may contain toxins from the environment, such as animal dung or fertiliser from nearby farming lands.

Instead, water that is fit for human consumption must be used. If you do not have a reliable supply, you can put up a plastic water tank that can be filled with rainwater. Meat or eggs You must decide whether you want to sell chickens for meat, or to keep hens to lay eggs, which you can sell. Each

type has specific requirements, such as housing and feed, nests, and space to move around. What type of hens will you need, and where will you buy them? Indigenous chickens that are adapted to the conditions may be the best bet, but you must find out where you can get them from. If you do not want to raise day-old

Day-old chicks need to be bought from a reliable supplier. (Source: Pixabay)

Every five layer hens will need a nest in a private, preferably dark place. (Source: Pixabay)

Hens need a safe place to sleep at night. (Source: Pixabay) 12

Some farmers prefer to keep layer hens that will produce eggs for selling and own use. (Source: Pixabay)

Chickens can form part of your backyard farming. (Source: Pixabay)

ProAgri BNZ 27

chicks, you must find a supplier for broilers that are already a few weeks old, or hens that are almost ready to start laying eggs. You need to find out if the supplier is reliable, and if he is willing to deliver if you cannot fetch them yourself.

You will have to take good care of your day-old chicks, as they are very vulnerable. (Source: Pixabay)

Building materials and equipment You must find out if there is a retailer where you can buy building material, such as timber, chicken wire and corrugated iron for the hen houses. Will you be able to construct these yourself, or will you need someone to build them for you? What natural materials are available, such as wooden poles and thatch that you can use to construct chicken houses? Where will you buy equipment, such as water and feed containers, as well as lighting and heating equipment? Where will you buy suitable feed for all the various stages of growth? Chickens, broilers, and layers all need different feed at the various stages of their lives. Electricity, gas, or paraffin You will need to use some sort of energy to provide warmth and lighting during the first two weeks of your dayold chickens. Thereafter, you will need some method to regulate the temperature and ventilation inside the brooder and hen houses.

Broilers raised for meat and layers kept for eggs each need specialised feed. (Source: William Moreland, unsplash.com)

Safety and security You need to put up a fence around the perimeter of your property to keep out animals and thieves. This will be in addition to the different housing units of your chickens. In the case of layers, you may want to allow them to roam outside during the day to find additional food such as insects and plant material. Markets You must find out if people would want to buy your chickens and/or eggs. Will they prefer to buy live chickens, or will they prefer slaughtered chickens? In case of the latter, you will need to slaughter them yourself or find an abattoir that will do so at a cost. Find out if there is a market for eggs, and how many would they buy at a time? Perhaps there is a shop or a bakery that would like to buy your eggs, either to use it, or to sell it to customers. Either way, you will have to package them carefully and transport them to the client. Transport If you must travel to a village to buy building materials and feed, or take the broilers or eggs to market, you will need reliable transport. Do you have your own transport, or will you have to make use of public transport? This can be expensive and is not always very

reliable. It will also cost you more, which will take some of your profit. Veterinarian or health services Is there a veterinarian or an extension officer from the agriculture department available that can identify diseases, such as Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza and give you advice? Where will you find the necessary vaccines, medicines, and sanitising products? How will you receive biosecurity updates of outbreaks and measures to keep your chickens safe from contamination from other birds and visiting people? Records and bookkeeping It is important to keep record of the number of chickens you buy and how many die, because some losses can be expected. You will also have to do basic bookkeeping to know whether you are making a profit or a loss. The first step towards knowing whether you will be successful is to work out a budget to calculate the costs of everything you will need to get started, what expenses there will be, and what your profits may be. Funding Will you have enough money to start your own poultry farming with all the costs involved? Where will you borrow money, and if you do, at what interest rate will it be and how soon will you be expected to pay back the loan? Are there family members or other members in the community that also want to get involved, so that you could perhaps start a co-operation to share the costs of, for instance, bulk delivery of food at a special price? If you have a good plan and a budget, you may be able to get funding from your government, because most governments are willing to help smallscale farmers to set up poultry farms. All these aspects need to be calculated. In the next issue, we shall provide more information on how to budget for all your expenses so that you can see in advance if you can make a profit.

References Cilliers, F. (2001) Small-scale broiler house combined. Agricultural Research Council Family poultry training course. Trainee’s Manual. SA Poultry http://www.sapoultry.co.za/pdftraining/Trainees-manual-poultrycourse.pdf Poultry Management Guide. (2009) Arbor Acres https://eu.aviagen.com/assets/ Tech_Center/AA_Broiler/AA-BroilerHandbook2018-EN.pdf

ProAgri BNZ 27

World Soil Day:

Healthy soil, healthy food

by Tisha Steyn

n indispensable asset for the human race is the soil beneath our feet. In recognition of this fact, World Soil Day is celebrated on December 5. On this day we focus on the importance of soil as a living, life-giving natural resource. Healthy soil is earth that contains a lot of organic material that was broken down over time and returned to the earth to provide nutrients for plants that grow in it. Without healthy soil, there can be no sustainable production of healthy food for the growing population on earth. Unfortunately, soil all over the

world has become poorer, mostly because of the interference of humans. Farming and other land uses have in many instances robbed the soil of nutrients by degrading it. Degradation is caused by: • Overgrazing by keeping too many animals for too long on a piece of land • Deforestation by removing indigenous forests to plant crops • Fires caused by lightning or humans that devastate vast areas • The use of too much fertiliser

Woodchips make good mulch (Maddy Baker, unsplash.com). 15

which leaches into streams, rivers, and groundwater • Heat and drought that bake the soil until it is hard and impenetrable, and • Floods that erode the soil and wash away nutrients. Fortunately, soil can be restored by using certain agricultural principles. More and more people are turning to these methods to restore the health of the soil on the land in their care. These include the use of no-till, which refers to the soil not being worked to a great depth, but only a little bit on

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the surface for planting cover crops to keep the soil covered by plant material; crop rotation, which refers to planting different crops in succession so that a new crop can replace nutrients in the soil that the previous crop used up; compost, which replaces nutrients in the soil; mulching, which covers the soil with a layer of plant material to keep the moisture in the soil. By using these principles, farmers increase the organic matter in the soil, thereby improving the microbial activity in it. As a result, more carbon is stored in the soil and less is released into the atmosphere. Also, the use of water is improved because it penetrates the soil and is held by the roots of the cover crop. Less moisture evaporates because the cover crop keeps the hot sun away. Nutrient-rich soil and more moisture in the soil allow plants to grow better, to yield a bigger harvest, which means a bigger profit.

A small compost bin in a backyard can yield nutrient-rich soil for your vegetable garden (Edward Howell, unsplash.com).

Soil that has been planted for generations may lack nutrients and may be vulnerable to droughts and floods (Zbynek Burival, unsplash.com). 17

Compost Making compost in your own backyard mimics the way in which nature naturally breaks down plant material returned to the earth after it has died. Compost is made by combining brown (dry) and green (wet) matter such as garden clippings and kitchen scraps in a pile, adding water to keep it moist, and turning the material to capture oxygen. If the pile is big enough and the mix is sufficient, it will naturally generate heat, which will help break down the plant materials and destroy diseases, pests, and weeds. The result of the composting process is soil that is rich in nutrients, feel crumbly and smells like real earth that you would find in a forest. Read more on making compost on www.proagri.co.za/en/composting-andcomposting-systems-part-1-how-tomake-compost/. Mulch To keep your soil protected against sunshine, rain, pests, including harmful insects and unwanted weeds, you can cover it with mulch. Mulch refers to any organic matter that you can put on top of the soil, as in a vegetable bed or around fruit trees, to keep the moisture in the soil from evaporating. A layer of organic material, such as wood chips, bark or chopped up maize stalks, will also keep weeds from germinating and stealing your plants’ nutrients and moisture. The biggest profit is that these methods return earth back to an Eden the way nature intended: rich in natural resources and a welcome haven and source of abundant food for man, beast, and bug. Havenga, B. (2000, November) Composting and composting systems. Agricultural Research Council.

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Vegetable planting guide Part 8:

Tomatoes E

verybody knows tomatoes. Tomatoes are normally big, round, edible, pulpy berries that are often red in colour but may also be yellow, orange, green, or purple. Tomatoes can vary in size and shape depending on the specific species. They can be eaten raw in salads, or cooked as a vegetable in a range of various preparations and techniques, depending on the variety. Background Tomatoes are specifically native to South America’s regions of Peru and Ecuador, where the plant is speculated to have most likely descended from a cherry type named Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme. The first cultivation and ultimate domestication is thought to have happened in the indigenous early Indian civilisation who established themselves in Mexico. The Spanish explorers were the first to

Tomatoes come in different colours, shapes, and sizes.

Botswana introduce tomatoes to Spain, and later to other countries such as Morocco, Turkey, and Italy. Climatic and soil requirements The tomato is a warm-season crop that is very sensitive to temperature fluctuations and, above all, frost. An average daily mean temperature of 20 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius is ideal for optimal growth, fruit quality, and quantity. When the temperatures are below 12 degrees Celsius or above 35 degrees Celsius, the quality and fruit-set of the products will be poor or very low. Weather conditions that are consistently moist, humid, and rainy will result in the occurrence and spread of 20

Seedlings being germinated. foliar diseases and subsequent flower drop that can be observed when there are excessively hot and dry winds. As a result, it is highly recommended that tomatoes be grown in relatively dry environments with controlled irrigation to supply water when the plants need it the most. When tomatoes are grown in a healthy environment, they will pro-

duce excellent results in well-managed sandy loam soil and heavy clay loam soil, free of weeds, invasive species, and hardpan (hardened and impervious layer of topsoil). The best results, on the other hand, are obtained in deep loam soil with excellent drainage. Organic matter and essential plant nutrients should be abundant in the soil with pH values ranging from 6 to 7.

ProAgri BNZ 27

Uses Tomatoes can be prepared in a number of different ways. A ripe tomato can be used and consumed in two different ways, namely raw or processed. When tomatoes are processed, they can be made into a purée, paste, powder, ketchup (tomato sauce), sauce, soup, or canned in its whole form. The tomatoes that aren't ripe after being picked are usually pickled or used in jams or jelly preservatives. Tomato extract has long been used to treat a variety of ailments with traditional medicine in Japan, Greece, Peru, and Guatemala. Dried fruit extract made with hot water has been utilised in the treatment of ulcers, wounds, haemorrhoids, and burns, while a tomato poultice has been applied to alleviate the symptoms of oedema (swelling of the ankles or feet) during pregnancy. Appetisers made from fresh fruit are believed to help with digestion, as well as the treatment of kidney and liver problems. Soil preparation The optimal conditions are well-prepared, loosened, well-tilled soil. Planting Seedlings are grown in seedbeds before being transplanted into the field. When hybrid seed is used, transplanting is the best option for early plantings intended for human consumption and fresh produce markets. If the situation calls for mechanical harvesting or processing of the crops, direct seeding is usually done. The seeds are usually scattered across the beds and allowed to germinate under a thin layer of soil. Seedlings are usually ready to be transplanted 3 to 4 weeks after sowing. It is highly recommended that plants be transplanted at this stage into moist soil. The seedbeds should be irrigated properly following the sowing of the seeds, and it should be watered on a regular basis until the seedlings reach a height of 5 to 7 centimetres. Seedlings should be planted 40 to 50 centimetres apart in rows 120 to 180 centimetres apart.

Tomato plant, flower and fruit development.

Fertilisation Tomatoes have high nitrogen requirements for the promotion of greater growth and development of flowers and fruits. A minimum application rate of 250 kg/ha is recommended in high-rainfall areas or for increased production. Approximately one-quarter of the nitrogen is applied at planting, with the remainder applied in the first 6 to 8 weeks of growth, with two to three week intervals.

cracking occurs as a result of excessive irrigation following a prolonged dry spell without prior light irrigation. Plants that are irrigated late in the season produce watery fruit of low nutritional value and very low quality. Sprinkler irrigation is most often used for commercial crops. Drip and flood irrigation systems are not widely used.

Irrigation The importance of irrigation in tomato production cannot be overstated. Fruit

Weed control Weed control is always recommended because weeds can serve as a breeding

ground for pests and diseases in your tomato field. Hand-hoeing can be used to keep weeds under control without damaging the root systems of your crops. Registered herbicides can be used for chemical weed control. Pest and disease control The tomato plant can be affected by the following pests: • nematodes • rust mites • red spider mite

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• • • • • •

American bollworm American leaf miner aphids (the green peach aphid) cutworms thrips erinose mite

The tomato plant can be affected by the following frequent diseases: • early blight • late blight • grey mould • leaf mould • powdery mildew • fruit rot • soft rot • bacterial canker • bacterial spot • bacterial speck • bacterial wilt • fusarium wilt • anthracnose • septorial leaf spot • mosaic • spotted wilt

Foliar disease on a tomato plant. Pests and diseases should be properly controlled, and in most cases, it is advised to preferentially plant antigen resistant cultivars. Another essential tip for tomato farming is to use proper sanitation practices throughout. Practising good crop rotation on fields is

also advised. The proper integration of pest and disease management is crucial and highly advisable for successful tomato production. Tomatoes that do not meet the standards or that are infected should be buried or burned.

The information provided in this article is credited to the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. For more information, visit their website at www.daff.gov.za, contact them on +27(0)12-319-6072 or send an e-mail to DPP@nda.agric.za.

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Rabbit farming:

Here is an affordable start for new farmers

mesh large enough to allow droppings to fall through, but not too large so that their feet get stuck. Vegetable patches and flower gardens will both benefit when the droppings are used as fertiliser. Soil floors should never be used for rabbit cages as they will dig their way out. When wooden frames are used, they should be lined on the inside with wire mesh to ensure that the rabbits will not gnaw their way through the frame. Does (female rabbits) should be supplied with nesting boxes to keep their babies warm. This box should not be smaller than 38 x 25 x 25 centimetres. Diseases can be prevented when the cages are dry and cleaned regularly. Cages should be protected from sun, wind, and rain. Rabbits can tolerate cold much better than heat, so there is no need to place cages in sheds. The cages should be well ventilated as rabbits need a lot of fresh air. Cages should be kept in a quiet place where they cannot be reached by dogs, cats, or rats. Rabbits eating hay.

abbit breeding can be an alternative farming opportunity for a beginner farmer or someone with limited resources. According to Mike Daka, a rabbit farmer and interim President of the Rabbit Farmers Association of Zambia, the demand for rabbit meat in the country is growing. He told the Xinhaunet News Agency* that the Association was formed to encourage and assist farmers to meet the local demand, and even export to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The rabbit species mostly used for farming are the New Zealand White and California White breeds because they are easy to breed and grow fast, unlike local breeds. Besides the growing demand for rabbit meat as a healthy white meat alternative, the increasing popularity of rabbit farming can be contributed to the following: • They take up very little space • They are inexpensive to keep • They have a varied diet • They produce meat with highquality protein • They produce many offspring in a short time span • They can be sold for a profit Housing of rabbits Wire mesh or scrap wood can be used to build a big cage, divided into individual cages. Poles, bricks, or even old tyres can be used to support and lift the cages off the ground. The following sizes for individual cages should meet the requirements for housing a medium-sized rabbit: 80 x 60 x 60 centimetres. The bottom of the cages should be fitted with

Mesh wire rabbit cages.

Feeding of rabbits Serious rabbit farmers can obtain wellformulated rabbit feed pellets from feed companies, but rabbits will eat almost any plant. Lucerne, grass, green maize leaves, carrots, turnips, cabbage (in small amounts), and lettuce are also good choices for a healthy rabbit's diet. Cauliflower should not be fed to the doe while she is lactating since it can reduce her milk supply. Maize meal, porridge, bread, samp (dried, stamped corn kernels), weeds, and fruit tree leaves are also favourites. Rabbits are poisoned by potato and tomato leaves, as well as rhubarb, and it could potentially kill them. Do not make drastic dietary adjustments ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 27

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to the rabbits’ feed. Feeding cooked greens, pesticide-sprayed food, rotten food, or mouldy hay to rabbits is not recommended. There should always be clean water available, and they should never be deprived of water. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon are good times to feed the rabbits. The majority of the food should be served in the late afternoon feeding. Farmers can grow their own green material for rabbit food.

the species. Keep the buck in a separate cage from the doe. Always place the doe in the cage with the buck. If the mating was successful, the buck would roll over and prostrate himself. If a doe is not ready for mating, she will attempt to flee the situation. When mating does not occur, the doe can be placed in the buck's cage for the following 5 to 6 days until mating occurs. During spring, summer, and early autumn, the doe is more productive than

be removed as soon as possible. If possible, avoid touching the kittens unless absolutely necessary. If the doe detects your scent on the kittens, she may reject them. The use of a strongsmelling, harmless agent (such as Vicks Vapo Rub) on the female's nose is recommended before interacting with the new-born. In the nesting box, the kittens should be kept near to one another. Ensure that the kittens are sucking and that they are well-nourished. Does who gave birth for the first time may consume their young. If there are too many kittens, the doe will not be able to feed them all at once. If that is the case some of the kittens can be handed to another female with fewer kittens. The kittens should be roughly the same age. When a doe is unable to rear her young, cow's or goat's milk may be used as a substitute.

Doe with new-born kittens. Adult rabbit in good condition.

Selecting rabbit breeding stock Make certain that the rabbits you purchase are in good health, with bright eyes, dry nostrils, and clean ears and paws. The rabbit's fur should be smooth and clean, and its teeth should be in a straight line to be considered healthy. Buy a young doe instead of a mature doe since you may never be sure how old she is. If she has reached the end of her productive life, she will no longer be of any use to anyone. The presence of long toenails indicates that the rabbit is an older animal. Choose rabbits from parents who have a solid track record of reproducing successfully. It is inevitable that a doe that does not perform well will likewise produce bad offspring. When does are approximately six months old, purchase them as breeding stock. Every three years, you should replace your breeding stock and get rid of underperformers. Breeding rabbits Does (female rabbits) are ready to breed at 4 to 6 months of age, while bucks (male rabbits) are ready to breed at 5 to 6 months of age, depending on

Rabbit pair mating. the buck. Because it gets chilly during the winter months, it is not suggested to breed during this time. Pregnancy lasts around one month. Birth Soft dried grass can be placed in a clean, dry nesting box for the doe approximately 25 days following the mating event. Some of the doe's own fur will be strewn across the grass. Keep your distance from the cage until the babies (kittens) have been born. Most of the time, the kittens are born in the early hours of the morning. Check to see if the kittens are still alive and well. Dead kittens should

Weaning the young It is possible to wean the new-born kittens between the ages of 30 and 35 days. When they reach this stage, they can be separated from their mother. Separate the young does from the young bucks in a cage. It is possible for the does to be mated again after two or three days and up to a month after giving birth, depending on the level of feeding and management. Generally, young rabbits are ready to be slaughtered or sold when they reach the age of three to four months. If you keep them for an extended period of time, they will consume significantly more food, making your venture unprofitable, and the bucks will begin to fight.

The information provided in this article is credited to the National Department of Agriculture in South Africa in cooperation with JA Erasmus at the Glen Agricultural Development Institute. For more information visit www.daff.gov.za or send an e-mail to DPP@nda.agric.za. *http://www.xinhuanet. com/english/africa/202107/09/c_1310052234.htm

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ProAgri BNZ 27

Crop production in Namibia Part 4:

General crop production

Choosing which crop to grow Besides the various grain crops like maize and pearl millet, there are several groups of vegetable crops to choose from. Farmers can consider the following: Leafy vegetables: Plants with edible leaves, for example, cabbage, spinach, and Swiss chard. Fruiting vegetables: Plants with edible fruit, for example, tomatoes, peppers, and melons. Root vegetables: Plants that store food in their own roots or in their tubers underground, for example, carrots, beetroot, and sweet potatoes. Legumes: Plants that produce pods with edible seeds, for example, cowpeas and green beans. Bulb vegetables: Plants that store food in swollen leaves at the base of their stem, for example, onions. It is advisable to grow crops from each group. It provides the farmer with a

variety of products so that he will have something to eat and sell throughout the year. Selection of seeds Improved cultivars for most crops are widely available in Namibia. Most of the more expensive seeds on the market are hybrids with the following distinctive advantages above home-produced, open-pollinated seeds. Hybrids usually: • germinate better; • produce a higher yield; • have key resistance or tolerance to diseases and some insects; and • possess other desirable characteristics such as better size, shape, colour, heat tolerance and resistance to injury. Seed companies are continuously improving varieties. Therefore, the best variety to choose will change as time passes. Furthermore, companies generally do not guarantee the germination

percentage of low-cost varieties. It should be recognised that using the best seeds available is the wisest decision. Yields will, on average, be higher and costs of pest management should be lower. A higher marketable or consumable yield will make the extra expense of good seeds pay for itself. Seedbed preparation and planting of crops Seedbed preparation A seedbed is a special area where the soil is carefully prepared to help the germination of seeds. The process of seedbed preparation is called tillage. Young plants grow best in soil that has been broken up into small crumbs; such soil is described as having a fine tilth. In a seedbed, it is possible to carefully control the depth of and distance between seeds. A seedbed should be deep, even and firm. The objectives of tillage are: • to modify the soil structure.

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• • • • •

A granular structure is desirable to allow rapid infiltration and good retention of rainfall, whereas finer particles are considered advantageous in the vicinity of seeds; to control weeds; to incorporate plant residues into the soil to create humus and increase nutrient levels; to minimise soil erosion by following practices like contour tillage and proper placement of plant residues; to establish specific surface configurations for planting, irrigation, drainage and harvesting operations; to incorporate and mix fertilisers and pesticides into the soil.

Tillage operations are classified as primary and secondary tillage. Implements used for this purpose can be divided into primary and secondary implements. Primary implements are basic implements used to loosen the soil and sometimes invert it to improve the structure and counter compaction. These implements include mouldboard ploughs, disc ploughs, chisel ploughs and rippers. Secondary implements include cultivators, discs, and harrows, and are used for the final seedbed preparation, weed control, and breaking of surface crusts. In recent years there has been an increasing interest in minimum-tillage systems as a means of reducing rowcrop production costs and minimising soil compaction caused by repeated heavy tractors driving on the field. In some minimum-tillage systems, till-andplant combination units follow ploughing, chiselling, or other primary tillage, with

narrow strips receiving shallow secondary tillage just ahead of the planter. Other types of combination units perform zone or strip tillage just ahead of the planters in untilled soil or in soil that was ploughed during the previous fall. Several arrangements of combination units that perform minimum-tillage and planting operations are commercially available.

Disc plough The disc plough has a slicing action with the main advantage that better water penetration is obtained. It is also very effective on land with large amounts of plant residues, because it promotes rapid breakdown of soil structure. This implement is therefore useful for hard, dry soils but not recommended for sandy soils.

Primary tillage implements Mouldboard plough This implement is used to turn soil up to 300 mm deep and is particularly useful in heavier soils. The mouldboard plough is not recommended for sandy soil, because the already poor soil structure may be destroyed, which again promotes wind erosion.

Chisel plough Chisel ploughs are used to loosen the soil to a limited depth of 250 mm. It is mainly recommended for relatively dry and sandy soils.

Ripper plough Rippers are used when deep cultivation of up to 400 mm is necessary and turning of the soil is undesirable. if soils are tilled annually to the same depth, a plough-sole develops. This compacted layer prevents infiltration and root development. To ensure better drainage and utilisation of water, it is essential to break this layer regularly.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 27

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Secondary tillage implements Secondary tillage implements include a variety of implements like cultivators and harrows. Harrows are mainly used to level the seedbed and for breaking larger surface crusts. Cultivators are mainly used to control young weeds but are also used for breaking surface crusts. The tilling depth is seldom more than 100 mm. These implements are only effective for moist soils and are often used for seedbed preparation.

Sowing of crops directly in the field Crop planting operations may involve placing seeds or tubers (such as potatoes) in the soil at a predetermined depth. This can be done by hand or with machines. With appropriate planting equipment, seeds may be distributed according to any of the following methods or patterns: • Broadcasting (random scattering of seeds over the surface of the field). • Drill seeding (random dropping and covering of seeds in furrows to give definite rows). • Precision planting (accurate placing of single seeds at approximately equal intervals in rows). • Hill dropping (placing groups of seeds at approximately equal intervals in rows). Planting may be done on the flat surface of a field, in furrows or in beds, as illustrated in Figure 1. Furrow planting is widely practised under semi-arid conditions for row crops such as maize and mahangu. This method places the seed in moist soil and protects the young plants from wind and soil being blown around. Bed planting is often practised in high-rainfall areas to improve surface drainage. Flat planting generally predominates where natural moisture conditions are favourable. A variation of bed planting provides a flat plateau, perhaps 7,5 cm high and 25 cm wide in the bottom of the furrow. Bed planting is common for certain types of row crops in irrigated areas. With closely spaced row crops such as sugar beet, lettuce, and other vegetables, two or more rows are sometimes planted close together in a single bed, thereby leaving more width in the spaces between beds for the operation of equipment.

Furrow planting

Flat planting

Bed planting

Bed planting, two rows per bed Figure 1: Surface profiles for row-crop planting (Kepner, R.A., Bainer, R. and Barger, E.L.).

The information in this article is credited to the Namibia Agricultural Union and Namibia National Farmers Union who published the Crop Production Manual in 2008.

Namibia

Namibia’s first ever Specialist Irrigation Day N

amibia is the most arid country South of the Sahara with scarce and unpredictable rainfall and perennial rivers only on its borders. Increased temperature and shorter rainfall events predicted with climate change reduces water availability. Namibia lies along the South-western coast of Africa bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Angola and Zambia to the north, Zimbabwe and Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south. It covers an area of about 823 680 square kilometres. The rainfall is highly seasonal with rain during the summer months (between October and April) in the north

Wilhelm de Wet, owner of AgriTurf, welcomed guests to the Specialist Irrigation Day. 34

and winter rainfall in the south. The average annual rainfall is 250 millimetres per year. Namibia is generally a hot country, but temperatures vary a good deal. With that in mind, farmers have started implementing innovative solu-

by Bianca Henning

tions to use water sources more wisely and make rain in the desert. A wise man once said, the grass is not greener on the other side; it is green where you water it. AgriTurf Namibia is situated in Windhoek and Tsumeb, and the three

Jaco van der Merwe, Anton Enslin, Botha Enslin and Jacques van den Berg at the Reinke stall.

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masterminds behind the Specialist Irrigation Day, Wilhelm, Marco and Enrico de Wet, wanted to give something back to the farmers in the community. That is how they came up with the idea of organising the Specialist Irrigation Day for farmers in Namibia. Eight irrigation companies were represented to share their knowledge with farmers. “The idea is that everyone present at the irrigation day should have the opportunity to share their information to the farmers and inform them on innovative solutions regarding irrigation and the optimum use of water sources,” says Wilhelm de Wet, Director and Owner of AgriTurf Namibia. AgriTurf was founded three years ago. Marco de Wet took charge of the company for eighteen months, and they expanded to where they are today. “We are thankful for what we have achieved in three years, and we could only have achieved it with the suppliers and customers that we’ve got,” says Wilhelm. “The main focus of AgriTurf and farmers in Namibia is to supply and make food for ourselves and for our animals. That is what we would like to do here. We try to get our distribution network more up North to get closer to our clients and to reduce the time that it takes us to deliver to everyone.

The Hunter stall.

Demonstrations during the Specialist Irrigation Day. 35

Senningers sprinklers were also demonstrated on the day.

Namibia Frikkie Stroh demonstrating the working of SafeQuip’s firefighters.

Frikkie Stroh and Justice Mokoena of SafeQuip at their stall on the Specialist Irrigation Day.

Farmers at the Specialist Irrigation Day in Windhoek.

Gerhardus Bouwer, Africa Regional Manager of Senninger.

Therefore, we have expanded with new suppliers to assist us with reaching farmers,” Wilhelm adds. Because of the vast area and the way that Namibia’s arable land is distributed, it is very difficult for one company to provide irrigation services to the whole of Namibia. AgriTurf’s main focus is to partner with well-known and well accepted brands and distribute it throughout Namibia. “We use networks such as co-ops, since they cover the entire country, and equip them with high-level irrigation skills,” says Wilhelm. The irrigation day was held because there is limited expertise regarding irrigation systems in Namibia, therefore a large number of local farmers and co-ops in the area were invited to

Laurence Palin, Sales Manager of Hunter.

introduce them to the suppliers and new irrigation systems available worldwide as well as in South Africa. "Irrigation in Namibia is a fairly new topic, considering all the challenges and harsh conditions Namibian farmers have to face. Therefore, hosting an afternoon seminar focused on the topic of irrigation, doesn't exactly arouse high expectations. Regardless of our modest expectations, the irrigation day was a huge success. We're very pleased with the large number of people who attended and the positive response we receive," says Wilhelm. “Namibia's community depends on nature and to collaborate with each other, and this was an ideal opportunity for farmers and suppliers to network

ProAgri BNZ 27

and obtain more information regarding irrigation and irrigation systems.” The Specialist Irrigation Day comprised of eight speakers sharing information with farmers. The exhibitors of the day included: • Hunter Industries • Senninger • Electro-Mechanica • Reinke Centre Pivots • Toro Ag • RovicLeers • DAB • LEO Pumps

Pieter Kotze of Electro-Mechanica elaborating on solar technology for enhancement and cost savings in pump and centre pivot systems. • • • • • •

Paul van den Berg, Technical Service Engineer of Reinke.

Gebco AgriBoost SafeQuip Expert Mining Kaleidoscope TACHO Namibia

Laurence Palin, Sales Manager of Hunter South Africa, introduced new technologies and products for effective water saving systems. He gave more information on Agricultural applications for Hunter controllers. Frikkie Stroh of SafeQuip gave an informative presentation on effective firefighting. “The best way to combat fire is proper fire safety training and fire-fighting equipment,” stated Frikkie. Gerhardus Bouwer, Africa Regional Manager of Senninger, addressed changes in sprinkler technology, low

Products of LEO Pumps. 37

pressure and low-cost principles. Gerhardus also discussed wobbler, LESA and LEPA centre pivot sprinklers. The Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) and Low Elevation Spray Application (LESA) methods apply water to the soil surface at low pressure as the irrigation system moves through the field. This method brought changes in irrigation equipment and management that resulted in improvements in water productivity, particularly in semi-arid locations such as Namibia with diminishing water supplies. Pieter Kotze of Electro-Mechanica spoke about Delta VSD solar technology for enhancement and cost savings in pump and centre pivot systems. Reinke also gave a very interesting presentation on the history and origin of Reinke centre pivots. Paul van den Berg, Technical Service Engineer of Reinke, discussed new technologies of cost-effective central pivots and the advantages of Reinke centre pivots that weigh less, resulting in less stress on the drive train. Mo Ghaddar, Area Manager of Toro for Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Egypt presented a live video call from Italy on low-flow and low-pressure Toro drip, the maintenance of drip systems, subsurface drip, crop soil and water relationship. “The Specialist Irrigation Day was a wonderful initiative for the farmers in the area. It was very informative, and I hope this was the first one of many to come,” says Dries Venter a well-known farmer in the area. More than seventy people attended the Specialist Irrigation Day. “The day surpassed our expectations. We did not think so many people would show up, and with the questions and interaction afterwards, we could see that there is a great need for what we do in Namibia,” Wilhelm concluded.

Sheep farming made easy Part 9:

Flock nutritional requirements A

s with people, sheep do not require specific feeds. They require energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and water. Many different feedstuffs can meet their nutritional requirements. Energy Energy makes up the largest portion of the diet and is usually the most limiting nutrient in sheep diets. Carbohydrates, fat, and excess protein in the diet all 38

contribute towards fulfilling the energy requirements of sheep. Carbohydrates are the major sources of energy. Concentrates (grain) contain starch, which is a rich source of energy. Forages contain fibre or cellulose, which is not as rich in energy as starch. The major sources of energy in a sheep's diet are pasture and browse, hay, silage, and grains. Meeting energy requirements with-

out over or underfeeding animals is one of the farmer’s biggest challenges. An energy deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in sheep. An energy deficiency will manifest itself in many ways. In growing animals, an early sign of energy deficiency is reduced growth, then weight loss, and ultimately death. In reproducing females, early signs of an energy deficiency are reduced conception

ProAgri BNZ 27

rates, fewer multiple births, and reduced milk production. With restricted energy consumption, wool growth slows, fibre diameter is reduced, and weak spots (breaks) develop in the wool fibre. An energy deficiency reduces the functioning of the immune system. Undernourished sheep are more susceptible to diseases, especially gastro-intestinal worms. Excess energy consumption can cause problems in sheep, too. Extra energy is stored as fat (adipose tissue). Gross excesses in adipose tissue impair reproductive functioning in rams and ewes. During late gestation, fat ewes are more prone to ketosis (pregnancy toxaemia) and dystocia (difficult birth). Fat lambs do not gain muscle efficiently, and they are undesirable to most consumers. Energy in the ration is quantified in many ways. The simplest measure is TDN, which is the acronym for "total digestible nutrients”. Metabolisable energy (ME) and net energy (NE) values are more accurate measures of energy in a sheep's diet. TDN is usually used to formulate rations for breeding animals, while the net energy system is often used to calculate diets for growing lambs.

Roughage is always needed.

Water trough. 39

Protein Protein is usually the most expensive part of the diet. Since the rumen manufactures protein from amino acids, the quantity of protein is more important than the quality of protein in a sheep's diet. Protein requirements are highest for young, growing lambs who are building muscle, and lactating ewes who are producing milk proteins. The most common protein supplement for sheep is soya bean meal. Other less common sources include sunflower meal, cottonseed meal, whole cottonseed, whole soya beans, peanut meal, canola (rapeseed) meal, fish meal, and alfalfa pellets. In most countries, it is illegal to feed meat and bone meal derived from other ruminants. Legume hays, when they are harvested in the early to mid-bloom stage,

Zimbabwe Supplementary feeding of sheep with grain, hay, or silage is necessary when pastures or roughage are deficient in energy and protein. (Image source: www.biomasspelletplant.com) are intermediate sources of protein. Though levels vary, grains are usually low in protein. Urea is the most inexpensive source of protein or dietary nitrogen. Urea is converted to protein in the rumen. It has an equivalent crude protein value of 280 percent. It needs to be carefully incorporated into sheep rations and should not be included in creep rations.

Protein blocks are the most expensive way to provide supplemental protein to pastured animals, but they save labour. The hardness of the block regulates intake by the sheep. Excess protein is an expensive and inefficient source of energy. It can have a detrimental effect on animal health, as excess protein is converted to urea and ammonia. Animals overfed with protein

excrete more nitrogen in their urine and faeces. Minerals Sixteen (16) minerals have been classified as nutritionally essential in sheep diets. Macrominerals are required in large quantities. They include sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg),

Ewe with lamb on pasture. 40

ProAgri BNZ 27

potassium (K), and sulphur (S). Microminerals (also called trace minerals) are required in small quantities. They include iodine (I), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), cobalt (Co), selenium (Se), and fluoride (Fl). Salt Salt (sodium [Na] and chloride [Cl]) has an important regulatory function in the body. Inadequate salt intake can decrease feed and water intake, milk production, and growth of lambs. Animals desiring salt may chew on wood and/ or lick dirt. They are also more likely to consume poisonous plants. When adding salt to mixed rations, it is customary to add 0,5 percent to the complete diet or 1% percent to the concentrate portion. Salt is sometimes used to limit the intake of free choice mineral mixes. It can be used to regulate the intake of feed. Calcium and phosphorus Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are interrelated in the development and maintenance of the skeleton. Deficiencies may result in rickets. An imbalance of Ca and P in the diet can cause urinary calculi in male sheep, especially

wethers. The calcium in most forages is usually adequate to meet the needs of sheep. Deficiencies of calcium most often result when high-grain diets are fed, as cereal grains and oilseeds are high in phosphorus and low in calcium. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the sheep's diet should be at least 2:1. Vitamins Sheep require vitamins A, D, and E. Vitamin A is absent in most plant material, but is synthesised from beta-carotene. Vitamin D is required to prevent rickets in young animals and osteomalacia in older animals. B-vitamins are not required in the diets of ruminants because they are synthesized in the rumen. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting. Dietary supplementation is usually not necessary. Fibre Fibre adds bulk to the diet and keeps the sheep's rumen functioning properly by increasing rumination and salivation. Most ruminant nutritionists agree that sheep should always have roughage in their diets, at least 453,6 grams per head per day. Sheep that do not consume adequate forage may chew on wood or wool.

Water Water participates in nearly all body functions and is the most important "nutrient", though often the most neglected aspect of feeding sheep. A sheep will consume anywhere from 2,27 to 18 litres of water per day, depending upon its physiological state and the environmental conditions. Voluntary water intake is usually two or three times more than dry matter intake and increases with high-protein and high-salt diets. Decreased water intake may reduce milk production in ewes and growth rates of lambs. Animals that consume adequate water have fewer digestive upsets and a lower incidence of urinary calculi.

We thank the ARC Institute for Agricultural Engineering in South Africa who made their manual on sheep production and facilities available to the readers of ProAgri. Next month we shall look at good nutrition and the key to lambing success. Stay tuned for more!

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Zimbabwe 42

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Rotary tillers are simple but effective Part 6:

Location of the drive, power requirements and principles of rotary tillage Location of the drive The rotor may be driven from the one end, both ends, or from the centre. Driving the rotor from the centre reduces the total number of drivesystem components. Power is transmitted from the PTOshaft, through the gearbox, to the rotor. However, driving from the centre usually requires close fitting blades next to the gearbox. This means that a small centre strip will generally remain uncut. A small chisel may be installed in the centre to remove the unworked strip for seedbed preparation, but

should be removed for primary tillage like weed control. Driving the rotor, from one end on smaller rotary tillers eliminates the problem of an uncut centre strip, but requires more driving components. Power may be transmitted to the rotor from the gearbox or upper drive shaft by a series of gears or through heavy duty roller chains (see Figures 1 and 2). Driving from both ends permits more uniform application of power for long rotors on large machines, and again eliminates an unworked centre

strip. It requires a more complex drive train, but may allow the use of lighter components in some places because the driving power is split. The use of end drives increases overall machine width, which may not pose problems in field operations but could be a factor in orchard or vineyard work. All rotary tillers are equipped with slip clutches. Power requirements Specific energy required for rotary tillage, that is energy used per cubic meter of soil moved, is about three times ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 27

Zimbabwe Figure 1: A single-speed gearbox can be seen on the left, a four-speed gearbox in the centre and a rotary tiller with gearbox and drive shafts on the right. as much as that required for mouldboard ploughing. Heavy soils, a faster operating speed, or a greater operating depth would require more kW for the same size machine. The capacity of a rotary tiller is a very important factor in mechanisation planning, or else it may delay the planting process if tillage is not completed in time. Although a rotary tiller with a given capacity, will cost more than an individual implement required for conventional tillage (plough, disc, and harrow), the total investment is generally less, particularly if a stalk shredder is also eliminated. The power requirements of rotary tillers are generally 25 to 30 kW per metre working width (see Figures 3 and 4). Principles of rotary tillage Rotary tillers apply tractor engine power through the PTO directly to the soil, without excessive tractor weight. But rotary tillers cannot cure poor tillage management, and they may even make poor management look worse. However, with good management and proper operation, they can provide a valuable tillage alternative to ploughing, disking, and harrowing. The rotor normally turns in the same direction as the tractor wheels. Normally, two or three pairs of righthand and left-hand blades are used on each flange on the rotor shaft, depending on soil conditions and the degree of pulverisation desired. A left-handed blade is one where the cutting end points to the left, when viewed from the rear of the cultivator. A right-hand blade points to the right (see Figure 5). Three pairs of blades per flange are usually recommended for general operation on most rotary tillers. In wet, sticky soil it may be desirable to remove one pair of blades per flange so that the soil is more easily thrown away from the rotor. The rotor speed must be increased when using only two pairs of blades per flange, because the remaining two pairs of blades on each flange must provide a proper cut. The 44

Figure 2: Power is transmitted to the rotor, from the gearbox and upper drive shaft by a series of gears on one side of the rotary tiller. increased speed moves the soil faster and helps to prevent plugging. Under normal conditions, most rotary tiller blades are self-sharpening and they are arranged in a scroll, or spiral pattern on the rotor so that not more than one blade strikes the soil surface at the same time. Failure to maintain the scroll pattern will cause uneven work, excessive vibration, and thump-

ing, when more than one blade hits the soil at the same time (see Figure 6). The size of the cut, or bite, of rotary tiller blades is determined by the forward speed, the number of blades per flange and the rotor speed. Slower rotor speeds require much less power, help maintain soil structure, reduce blade wear, reduce fuel consumption, and save time.

ProAgri BNZ 27

Figure 4: The performance of the slip clutch is adjusted by changing the tension on the clutch springs.

Figure 3: The slip clutch is situated close to the gearbox.

Figure 5: A left and right-hand blade.

Figure 6: The blades must be mounted in a scroll pattern so that not more than one blade strikes the soil surface at the same time.

Next month we shall look at seed drills and planters, tractor preparation, and the PTO shaft. We thank the ARC Agricultural Engineering in South Africa who made the information on rotary tillers available to the readers of ProAgri Zambia.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 27

Zimbabwe

imbabwe has reported a bumper harvest of maize and other grains, capable of feeding the country’s 14,65 million people for the next year. According to Zimbabwe’s Second Crop and Livestock Assessment Report and the US Department of Agriculture, the estimated maize production for 2021 stands at 2,7 million tonnes. This maize yield is estimated to be three times the 2020 harvest. The agricultural sector is projected to grow 34% this year, more than three times the 11% projected in the budget given at the end of last year. The International Monetary Fund reports that Zimbabwe is on a path to economic recovery with a growth forecast of 6% this year, largely due to the maize harvest. Zimbabwe was the single largest maize export destination for neighbouring South Africa in the 2020/21 market year. Of the 2,6 million tonnes of maize that South Africa exported, about 20% went to Zimbabwe. In May this year, Zimbabwe’s agricultural marketing authority announced a complete ban on maize imports, citing the expected bumper harvest and surplus. The Zimbabwean government expects to save an estimated US$300 million from the ban. The 2019/20 season was plagued by drought and the country spent US$298 million on maize imports.

The bumper harvest this year is a welcome development for Zimbabwe, but it is important to know what’s behind this success and what challenges remain. Maize production is highlighted for priority investment in Zimbabwe owing to its strategic role in ensuring food security and serving as a raw material for agro-industrial processes. The crop is grown by more than 90% of the farming households in the country and contributes 14% of the country’s agricultural gross domestic product. Drivers The country’s large production output has primarily been attributed to favourable rainfall, supported by government programmes which ensured that farmers had adequate inputs on time for the 2020/21 cropping season. Rains The Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department records indicate that the country largely received normal to above normal rainfall during the past season. Maize and grain production by smallholder farmers is predominantly rainfed agriculture. But climatic conditions cannot be controlled. Maintaining high yields in the long term will probably require investment in water harvesting interventions as well as up-scaling irrigation systems. Improved irrigation

may provide smallholder farmers with resilience to adverse climate change impacts. Government programmes Government co-operation with nongovernment organisations, donour agencies, and the private sector has led to various agricultural schemes. One of these is a scheme which focuses on the efficient use of resources (inputs and labour) on small pieces of land. Known as Pfumvudza/Intwasa, it was widely promoted during the 2020/21 cropping season. This farming concept aims to provide livelihood security at the household level. Beneficiaries of the scheme had to prepare their land early, in time for inputs and planting. This technique rectified many of the limiting factors of previous practices. For example, it required less labour. The approach can be used in marginal areas. According to Zimbabwe’s agriculture second assessment report, yields for smallholder farmers who practised this approach stood at 5,28 t/ha compared to 1,16 t/ha for farmers who used conventional tillage. Scaling this technique up for larger pieces of land will require mechanisation. This and other government smallholder programmes may contribute to the long term sustainability and growth of maize and grain production.

Zimbabwe had a bumper harvest: What went right and what needs work 46

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Large-scale farmers also benefited from the Command Agriculture scheme of subsidised inputs. The scheme provided farmers with loans for seed, fertiliser, fuel, and chemicals. This may also have contributed to overall production. In 2020, Zimbabwe launched an Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy with the goal of creating an agriculture sector worth US$8,2 billion by 2025. The strategy is anchored in climate-smart technologies, extension services and increased innovations. The government schemes mentioned above are aligned with this strategy. Challenges Critics have pointed out that the centralised input subsidy scheme

(Command Agriculture) has some major gaps and is unsustainable. First introduced during the 2016/2017 cropping season, the scheme is structured around debt, which was estimated to cost $214 million in 2018. The system does not seem to have measures in place to monitor and evaluate the use of inputs during the season. It does not ensure loan repayment and debt recovery from defaulting beneficiaries. In previous years there were reports of some farmers abusing the inputs by selling them on the black market. In 2017, out of the 50 000 small and commercial farmers who benefited under the maize input scheme, more than 10 000 have reportedly not delivered produce to the Grain Marketing Board as required. This is largely because of

the abuse of inputs and the board’s reputation for long delays in payments. Some of the yields aren’t reaching markets, and food safety measures are not being applied. This calls for policy revisions. This year’s success can be attributed to a combination of drivers. To sustain the momentum, the Zimbabwean government has the challenge of addressing the remaining gaps in the programme. Talent N Ndlovu, Tofara W Sammie, Abigal Mangena, Thulani Ndlovu and Brilliant Nkomo contributed to this article. Published with recognition to https://theconversation.com/ africa.

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• Masvingo - 34 Bradburn St. •Our - Telford Rd. (Head Office) • • Masvingo - 34 Bradburn St.St. •Harare Harare - Cnr. Robson Manyika / 4th St. Marondera - 558A Fourth Branches: •Our - Cnr. Manyika / 4th St. • • Marondera Fourth St. •Harare Harare - 36ARobson Kelvin Road Chinhoyi - -21558A Commercial St. Branches: •• •Harare -- Telford Rd. Road (Head Office) •• • Masvingo 34 Bradburn Harare 36A- Kelvin Chinhoyi Commercial St. Bulawayo 97 Jason Moyo St. Chipinge---21 1079 7th Ave.St. Telford Rd. (Head Office) Masvingo - 34 Bradburn St. •• •Harare Cnr. Robson Manyika / 4th St. • Marondera 558A Fourth St. Bulawayo 97- 39 Jason Moyo St. St. • Chipinge - 1079 7th Ave. Mutare - -33 Tembwe Our Branches: Cnr. Kelvin Robson Manyika / 4th St. Marondera - 558A Fourth St. •• Harare Road • Chinhoyi - 21 Commercial St. Mutare -- 36A 33 - 39 Tembwe St. • Harare -- Telford Rd. (Head Masvingo - 34 Bradburn Harare - 36A Kelvin Road Chinhoyi -- 21 Commercial • Bulawayo 97 Jason Moyo St.Office) • •Chipinge 1079 7th Ave. St. • Harare -- Cnr. Robson Manyika / 4th St. Marondera - 558A Bulawayo 97 Moyo • •Chipinge - 1079 7th Fourth Ave. St. • Mutare - 33 - 39Jason St.St. +263 772 282Tembwe 000 Road www.fivetanimalhealth.com • Harare - 36A • Chinhoyi - 21 Commercial St. • Mutare - 33 - 39 Kelvin Tembwe St. +263 772 282 000 www.fivetanimalhealth.com • Bulawayo - 97 Jason Moyo St. • Chipinge - 1079 7th Ave. • Mutare 33 39 Tembwe St. +263 772 282 000 www.fivetanimalhealth.com

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Your partners in profitable animal production 49 +263 772 282 www.fivetanimalhealth.com Your partners in 000 profitable animal production

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 27

A COST EFFECTIVE MIXER FOR A COST EFFECTIVE MIX Most homogeneous mixture The P2000 mixer acquires a premium quality mix at much lower cycle times with a combination of two augers and a large paddle mixer

Easy loading The perfect cut for your cattle A plethora of serrated knifes on the mixer paddle floor and triangular blades on the augers ensure that grass and hay is cut on every pass.

Mixers can be loaded by TLB or by hand from the platform on the back of the mixer

Easy unloading

The mixture is easily discharged through a hydraulic door which is operated from the tractor seat.

Office: +27 (0)11 864 1601 Call or Whats App:

Alomia: +27 (0)65 024 6811 l Fouzia: +27 (0)61 590 3889 l Francesco: +27 (0)83-267-3286

50 alomia@drotsky.co.za / fouzia@drotsky.co.za l francesco@drotsky.co.za

ProAgri BNZ 27 www.drotsky.co.za