ProAgri BNZ 35 by ProAgri

No 35 Free ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe www.agri4all.comwww.proagri.co.za Put your trust in the Gallagher team ZimbabweNamibiaBotswana page 16 page 24 page 32 Highlights of the ZITF show New Holland launces GENESIS®brand-newT8Series

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Teamwork makes the Gallagher dream work New Holland launches the GENESIS® T8 Series with PLM PoultryIntelligence™farmingPart

5.2: Natural and artificial incubation Cattle breeds Part 4 Vegetable production Part 16: Let’s ring the bell (pepper) Ancient African food plants 5.1 Crop production guide Namibia part 12: Chemical control and pesticide selection Pig farming Part 5: From pig to pork Meet Hughna Dlodlo, the crop whisperer

. Readers are also encouraged to contact me directly via the e-mail address provided below. I would love to hear what you are busy with on your farm, or what is happening in your region. ProAgri greetings Bianca bianca@proagri.co.zaHenning ProAgri celebrates women in agriculture Editor Bianca Henning > Reporters Benine Ackermann > Maryna Steyn > Natasha Kruger > Specialist Writer Annemarie Bremner > Client Relations Manager Carin Swartz > Marketing Manager Diane Grobler > Marketing Xander Pieterse > Johan Swartz > Tiny Smith > Brandon Gotz > Lynette van Tonder > Creative Director Christiaan Joubert > Design Michelle Kruger & Lizelle Erasmus Enquiries Engela Botha > Distribution and subscription Nita Volmer-van Zyl > Accounts Ronel Schluter > Business Manager George Grobler +27 82-326-2572 bianca@proagri.co.za +27 73-105-6938 benine@proagri.co.za +27 82-261-9177 carin@proagri.co.za+27annemarie@proagri.co.za+27natasha@proagri.co.za+27maryna@proagri.co.za81-736-423682-320-364284-233-0123 +27 82-555-6866 johan@proagri.co.za+27xander@proagri.co.za+27diane@proagri.co.za79-524-093471-599-9417 +27 82-698-3353 christiaan@proagri.co.za+27lynette@proagri.co.za+27brandon@proagri.co.za+27tiny@proagri.co.za76-820-847874-694-442272-419-3990 +27 12-803-0782 engela@proagri.co.za +27 79-515-8708 nita@proagri.co.za +27 12-803-0782 accounts@proagri.co.za ProAgri BNZ Cover andeasiermakeproductsmanagementinisGallagheraleaderanimalthatfarmingmore profitable. Read more on page 3 how the teamGallagherworkstogether to assist farmers in providing exactly what they need on their farms. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved. No material, text or photographs may be reproduced, copied or in any other way transmitted without the written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or of the editor. We recognise all trademarks and logos as the sole property of their respective owners. ProAgri shall not be liable for any errors or for any actions in reliance thereon.577 Rossouw Street, Die Wilgers, Pretoria +27 (0)79 515 www.proagri.co.za8708 ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 1

The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Meet Janet Phiri, an expatriate agri producer At the helm of the tobacco industry A lady’s touch in urban farming547.44.41.38.37.33.28.21.17.14.7.5.3.

T he month of August is a significant month on the South African calen dar. Each year, the country celebrates Women’s Month that offers an excel lent opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements and the important role that women have played, and con tinue to play, in agriculture and the broader South African society. National Women’s Day is a South African public holiday and is celebrated annually on the 9th of August. The contribution of women in the agricultural sector and food production is significant. There are many women who deserve recognition. In this edition we shall focus on a few women that are on the rise in agricultural sector. As we celebrate Women's Month, we raise our glasses to women leading the way. To all the ladies at ProAgri, thank you for the vital role you play in shap ing our cultural and social attitudes, and encourage us to remain fearless. Furthermore, in this month’s edition of ProAgri BNZ we meet the Gallagher team, we take a look at New Holland’s brand new GENESIS® T8 Series with PLM Intelligence™, and we recap on the Zimbabwean international trade show. Apart from providing the farmer with the information he needs, we can also provide all the products that he needs through the agricul tural e-commerce platform, agri4all. com. There is no need to look any further to find everything that you will need to farm successfully. Remember that you can also gain access to our information through our various online and digital platforms. Find us on Facebook at ProAgri and ProagriMedia and select your country, or visit our websites at www.proagri.co.za or www. proagrimedia.com and selling needs, visit www.agri4all.com

Content

14 21 33 41 44

. For all your buying

www.reinke.com patrickellis@reinke.com Patrick Ellis 031 350 4525 LIGHT AS A FEATHER, ASSTRONGANOX

he said. “Farmers are the backbone of our economy. Without them, we are nothing. I have always wanted to do something in the agricultural field, and now I get to help safeguard farmers and improve their business.”

Teamwork makes the dream work

Zinia declares: “Personally, I have never met people in an industry that works as hard as farmers. If you see the sweat and tears that go into their production, you know it can only be love. It makes one thankful for the food on our Benardplates.”believes that strong leader ship ensures that the team has a clear goal towards which they are working. “We keep the goal alive by regularly touching base on where we are and where we want to go,” he said. Demi added that as employees, a strong team environment with good lead ership also helps them perform better.

You may also visit their website at: Gallagher’swww.gallaghersa.co.zafriendlyexperts are always ready to offer farmers the best products and service: Zinia Moloi, Benard Willemse, Demi Nel and Mark Smit.

Being part of the Gallagher Animal Management team “Our product quality speaks for itself. Products last for years,” Mark explains. “The value you get with the products, coupled with the after-sale service, makes a farmer’s work easier on the farm. It improves production and de livery for the food chain. I am proud to help make that difference.”

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 3

T echnology that serves the farmer is critical to streamline the farming enterprise, but a farmer also depends on a reliable team that can assist him with product queries, advice and tak ing care of his farming needs. That is why the Gallagher South Africa Animal Management team works hard to bring their clients both the best products and the best service. More than two decades of experience have proved to their clients that quality products and exceptional service go hand in hand. Today they ensure they have a team that can live up to those expectations. Meet the Gallagher team Zinia Moloi is the e-commerce and Marketing Administrator. Her role is to take care of the clients who are unfamiliar with online shops and need assistance. “I take the clients through the shop and help them every time until they feel comfortable to use the platform on their own,” she explains. “When I started at Gallagher, I was a receptionist. Later I was promoted to this role where I use my skills and love for people to assist farmers.” Zinia is a people person and her bubbly person ality shines through. The online shop was a vital com ponent during the pandemic. “We expected some hesitance when we launched the platform, but we saw many customers welcoming the new way of doing business,” Zinia declares. “Our farmers are not afraid of the advances in technology, but they also want to know that there is someone who will guide them in acquiring the right products and confidently using the online store.” The platform is user friendly, but Gallagher understands that no one wants to feel like they have been abandoned in the customer journey. That is why they gladly offer this service. In Zinia’s opinion, a positive attitude is what makes the fresh and innovative Gallagher team work so well together to the benefit of their customers. “Everyone is eager to help each other and to work together to find solutions for customers,” she smiles. Zinia says the highlight of working in agriculture is delivering a product that the farmer is satisfied with; helping them is a pleasure. “It is easy when you believe in the product that you are selling. Gallagher culture is giving the best of yourself and your product – it is 5-star quality. A part of their 360-degree client service means that the team is aligned to achieve the same goal: A strong, simple product backed by exceptional service.

Demi Nel is the Territory Manager for the coastal regions of South Africa (KZN, WC, EC). “I inform farmers on smart farming. Smart farming uses technology and products such as those that Gallagher provides to make farming easier. These products are so simple and intuitive so that farm ers can quickly learn how to use them and understand how they work within minutes of first seeing the equipment,” sheBeingelaborates.partof the dynamic Gallagher team is a joy for Demi. Being active and travelling to meet clients and their businesses is what drives her. “Going to the farm and starting the conver sation about a product that might be needed, and then walking away, knowing you made a difference, is humbling yet satisfying. I get to learn so many things. Just recently a farmer explained to me how strip grazing benefits his farm, and I could offer him the product that could help him make that possible,” Demi adds. “The most amazing part of the team is that you are not on your own. You can pick up the phone and we assist each other.”

For more information, contact: Zinia Moloi: +27(0)76-792-3737 or Demizinia.moloi@gallagher.comNel:+27(0)73-001-4690 or 4740/+27(0)83-297-6079Markdemi.nel@gallagher.comSmit:+27(0)11-974-or mark. orBenardsmit@gallagher.comWillemse:+27(0)60-578-9872benard.willemse@gallagher.com

As a team player and someone who has spent a lot of time playing sports, the team environment makes Demi feel right at home. Being helpful to each other and to farmers is about more than getting a job done; it is a part of the DNA the Gallagher team shares with the rest of the international company. Mark Smit is the Sales Manager for the Animal Management Division. “I lead the sales team and deal with this division’s complaints and queries. I have been with Gallagher for eight months. The aim is to develop the Afri can market and enable these farmers to also practice smart farming,” says Mark. “What makes me glad to be a part of the Gallagher team is the fact that we are not bound to a specific group of clients. We can work together, meet a variety of people, and have different experiences.” Mark believes that the team’s open communication lines are what makes the team so strong. Benard Willemse is the Territory Manager for North-West, Northern Cape and the Free State. “I take care of our clients in those provinces. Be cause we are on the road so much, it is great to have a team who can jump on the phone and assist us. Our distinct personalities also add to one another,”

by Maryna Steyn

4 ProAgri BNZ 35 NEW! 22/147ETindrum usLikeon www.newholland.com/za

The new GENESIS® T8 is the first tractor on the market to fully integrate New Holland’s advanced PLM Intelligence™ platform. So, no matter where you are, you’re always connected to real-time insights, information, and support with MyPLM™Connect Features of the Genesis® T8 series with PLM Intelligence™ are: Customisable control, Improved visibility, Enhanced comfort, Advanced support, Intuitive simplicity. Models: T8.320 (184 kW), T8.350 (206 kW), T8.380 (229 kW), T8.410 (250 kW)*, T8.435 (279 kW)* *SmartTrax models available with various track sizes, equipped with cab suspension as standard. Ultra Command™ Full-Powershift and optional Auto command™ CVT transmission options available across the range. All units have RTK unlock guidance systems.

The new T9 Series with PLM Intelligence™ tractors showcase the best of New Holland’s power, comfort, efficiency and versatility. Paired with PLM Intelligence™ connected features integrated into the tractor, the T9 Series tractor is the most advanced, most powerful 4-wheel-drive tractor New Holland has ever offered. Models: T9.450 (302 kW), T9.505 (340 kW), T9.560 (378 kW), T9.615 (404 kW), T9.670 (447 kW) A new level of connectivity and productivity.

NeW HollaNd GeNesis® T8 & T9 series WiTH PlM iNTelliGeNce™ iNNovaTioN MeeTs iNTuiTioN

Contact your nearest New Holland dealer today or Jaco du Preez at jacobus.du-preez@cnhind.com

be transmitted to the tracks for dependable performance in the most demanding of SmartTrax™applications.canbefitted with tracks of 40,6, 45,7, 53,3, 61, and 76,2-cm (16, 18, 21, 24 and 30-inch) widths.

From row crop to broad acre farming, there is a SmartTrax option to fit your specific needs. T9 Series with PLM Intelligence™

Ultra-Command™ models boast a 3,43 m wheelbase, and 3,53 m on the T8.435. That is more than 25 cm longer than the nearest competitor. A longer wheelbase means greater stability at high transport speeds, easier ballasting with better weight transfer, and more traction for demanding heavy drawbar applications.GENESIS ® T8 models with Smart Trax™ rubber tracks represent a key advance in conventional tractor design, combining the in-field advantages of a wheeled tractor with the flotation and traction benefits of a tracked machine. Factory developed specifically for the GENESIS® T8 Series and available on T8.410 and T8.435 models, SmartTrax are not simply a “bolt-on” alternative to rear Detailedwheels.modifications to the transmission and driveline ensure maximum power and torque can Contact your local New Holland dealer for more information.

The new T9 Series with PLM Intelli gence™ tractors showcase the best of New Holland’s power (302 kW to 447,4 kW), comfort, efficiency, and versatility. Paired with PLM Intelli gence™ connected features (as with the T8 above) integrated into the trac tor, the T9 Series tractor is the most advanced, most powerful 4-wheel-drive tractor New Holland has ever offered. Power truly meets precision in the new T9Whethertractor. you are seeding, level ling, cultivating, or applying nutrients, New Holland’s exceptionally robust articulated Tri-Point chassis ensures precision ground-following and smooth transfer of power to the ground to im prove performance and results. The centre section has a large top link that extends from the front frame to the very back of the rear frame transferring dynamic loads more ef ficiently and maximising your pulling capability, which in turn lowers fuel consumption. In addition, this tripoint oscillation ensures well-balanced weight transfer between the front and rear axles so significantly less ballast is required to reduce compaction.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 5

• Enabling accurate data management to improve operating efficiency. New GENESIS® T8 tractors have the longest wheelbase in the segment.

New Holland launches the GENESIS® T8 Series with PLM Intelligence™ Article supplied

MyPLM™Connect telematics

• Assisting fleet managers to optimise machinery management.

• Providing real-time field data at your fingertips.

N ew Holland built the new GENESIS® T8 Series with PLM Intelligence™ (precision land management system with intelligence) around the input of farmers like you. From a reimagined cab designed to offer the most com fortable and convenient driver expe rience, to next-generation intuitive controls that can be easily customised to the tasks at hand, every detail has been carefully engineered to meet yourTheneeds.newGENESIS® T8 is also the first tractor on the market to fully integrate New Holland’s advanced PLM Intelligence™ platform. So, no matter where you are, you are always con nected to real-time insights, informa tion, and support. All these advances and innovations have evolved to create the most intui tive tractor the field has ever seen. There is enough power supplied by the engine, producing from 185 kW (250 hp) to 295 kW (400 hp), fully syn chronised or automatic transmissions to convert this power to heavy-duty axles, robust three-point linkage and the drawbar. The 282 ℓ / minute mega flow hydraulic pump ensures long-lasting operation of any implement or planter. The SideWinder™ Ultra armrest hosts all key controls, including throttle, transmission, and hydraulics. Every thing you need to control is intuitively selected. More advanced features can be quickly accessed. The IntelliView 12 screen offers fast configuration and advanced features such as custom layout options for each individual task and operator, 3D maps, touch screen navigation and seamless integration with precision-accurate sig nals. Three levels of precision accuracy are available, namely PLM 1 (15 cm), PLM 2 (5 cm), PLM RTK and PLM RTK + (2,5 cm). Special applications are also controlled by this system. Visibility of your fleet has never been as easy as with the telematicsincorporated system. Together with the MyPLM Connect database system, the producer has full control over his farm and fleet. No matter where he is, he always has access to real-time insight, information, and support.

If you have never kept chickens, it is best to start small and learn what works well and what does not. There are two ways to get chickens to be raised as broilers or layers. You can buy day-old chickens and raise them in a brooder until they are three weeks old, like we discussed in chap ter 4. Then you can raise the pullets until they are 18 weeks old and almost ready to start laying eggs, as we dis cussed in Chapter 5 (1). If you want to save time, you can buy point-of-lay hens that are 18 weeks old and will start laying in two

incubationandNaturalartificial

Raising layers

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 7 I n the previous issue, we discussed the raising of pullets and broilers to be sold as meat. In this issue, we look at natural and artificial brooding of eggs to be raised as layers. Breeds of chicken In the chapter on planning your poultry farming enterprise, we looked at the chicken breeds that are best for pro ducing eggs. In short, hybrid chickens bred from indigenous breeds that are suitable for African conditions, such as Mike Bosch’s Boschveld chickens, are ideally suited as layers.

Young chicks stay close to their mother. (Source: Michael Anfang, unsplash.com) farming

Poultry

Part 5.2:

weeks’ time. Although they are more expensive, you will save money on feed for 18 weeks, and they will have had their important inoculations.

Natural incubation

If you want to gain some experience with chickens before you go commercial, you can start with eight hens and a cock erel. These hens need to sleep inside a safe henhouse where there are perches for them to sleep on and nest boxes in which to lay their eggs. A broody hen that is chosen for natu ral incubation should be large so that her body can cover about 16 eggs. She

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A mother hen teachers her chicks what food to eat. (Source: Andrea Lightfoot, unsplash.com) must be preferably vaccinated, healthy, and free of external parasites. A hen is broody when she stops lay ing and remains sitting on her eggs. She becomes quite fierce and will peck at you when you come too close to her nest. She ruffles her feathers and spreads her wings protectively and will cluck quite loudly. The nest must be in a suitable con tainer in a secluded spot. Put a layer of about 2 cm of sand in the container and top it with about 3 cm of dry nest ing material to create a snug nest. Put food and water close to the nest so the hen doesn’t have to leave the nest to look for food. She needs to sit on the eggs almost constantly to keep them at a constant temperature of 39,5 °Celsius. If the eggs get cold, it ham pers the development of the embryos. The eggs must also be kept moist. The hen splashes the eggs with water from her beak to keep them moist and cool. To help keeping the humidity right in hot, dry areas, slightly damp soil can be put underneath the nest. This will Any suitable container can be used as a nest. (Source: Phoenix Han, un splash.com)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 9

10 ProAgri BNZ 35

the egg is fertile. Remove infertile eggs and replace them with fertile eggs from one of the other hens, but it is best to do so at dusk so as not to upset the broody hen. Eggs stored for incubation must be kept at a temperature of between 12 and 14 °Celsius, and the humidity must be quite high (80%). The eggs must not be stored longer than seven days. The eggs will hatch in 20 to 21 days.

Half of the chicks will be female, but you will only be able to find out which ones once they start growing feathers. The male chicks can also be raised as broilers, but they grow slower than the females. On the other hand, you can feed them less expensive feed than you would the females. The hen and her chicks must be kept away from the others until the chicks are about five weeks old.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 11 keep the moisture levels constant to prevent the contents of the eggs from drying out through the porous shell. As the embryo develops, it generates more heat, and the soil underneath the nest will also help cool them down. Eggs are usually fertile about four days after the rooster has been with the hens. You can check whether they are fertile by holding them up to a candle flame. If there is a dark spot, A mother hen keeps an eye out for predators. (Source: Joseph Cortez, unsplash.com)

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Eight hens and a cockerel are a good-sized flock for limited chicken farming. (Source: Zosia Korscz, un splash.com) A hen and her chicks forage in the garden. (Source: Kannan, unsplash.com)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 13

You need to control the temperature in the incubation box at a constant temperature of 39,5° Celsius. This can be done by means of two electrical light bulbs or coils that are connected to the thermostat. You can also use a gas heater or a kerosene lamp that is normally used for lighting purposes. Make sure you don’t run out of kero sene, as the eggs must not get cold! The incubator must be well ventilated to keep the warm air moving through theYoubox.can regulate the humidity at 50% by placing a tray of water on the floor of the incubator. The eggs must be turned five to seven times a day to keep the embryo from sticking to the shell membrane. Mark the eggs on one end to ensure you turn all of them. They must not be rotated end to end, but little by little to ensure a complete turn is achieved each day. As with natural incubation, the eggs will hatch after twenty to twenty-one days. In the next issue, we shall discuss the care of layer hens, so they produce quality eggs.

References Boschveld Free-range Chickens. (n.d.) Boschveld.co.za http://boschveld.co.za/ Cilliers, P.F. (July 2000) Small-scale poultry housing in South Africa. ARC-Institute for Agricultural Engineering. Cilliers, F. (Project manager) (2001) Small-scale broiler house (combined). ARC-Institute for Agricultural Engineering. Family poultry training course trainee’s manual. http://www.sapoultry.co.za/pdf-training/trainers-manual-poultryLesley,course.pdfC.(2020) The complete life cycle of a chicken explained. Chickens and morehttps://www.chickensandmore. Sonaiya,com/life-cycle-of-a-chicken/E.B.,Swan,S.E.J. (2014) Small-scale poultry production Technical Guide. Chapter 5: Incubation and hatching. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 92-5-105082-1 ISSN 1810-1119 https://www.fao.org/3/y5169e/y5169e06.htm

Artificial incubation You can also hatch chicks in an arti ficial incubator, but for that you will need a reliable supply of heat and ther mostats to keep the heat constant. There are many artificial incubators available commercially, but these are mostly costly. You can make your own artificial incubation box for hatching fifty to hundred chickens. Here are some things to consider: A broody hen instinctively takes care of the eggs in her nest, but to artificially incubate a batch of eggs, you will have to be a mother hen for three weeks.

Santa Gertrudis cows and calves. (Image source: gyranda.com.au)

Santa Gertrudis Robert Kleberg Jr of King Ranch in the United States developed the Santa Gertrudis cattle breed. Kleberg's 400 000 ha ranch had 6 000 Hereford and Shorthorn cows. These animals grew well, but strug gled to adapt to South Texas's climate, insects, and diseases. Therefore, they decided to develop a new composite breed. In 1920, a bull calf would become the foundation sire of the whole Santa Gertrudis breed. His name was Monkey, and his genetic composition was 3/8 Brahman and 5/8BecauseShorthorn.ofthe Brahman, the offspring were better suited to production condi tions, and the Shorthorn made them grow quicker and produce better meat.

Santa Gertrudis bull. (Image source: hefteranch.com)

14 ProAgri BNZ 35

Shorthorn Teeswater and Durham shorthorn cat tle were bred in North East England from Teeswater and Durham cattle. Comet, a famous bull, produced supe rior offspring that made him a legend in cattle breeding. The breed's name comes from their short horns. The Shorthorn is a medium-sized breed with a red, roan (a mixture of red and white), or sometimes white coat. As a dual purpose breed, the cattle can be used for milk or beef production, and their size depends on the production environment. Shorthorn cows average 500 kg and bulls 950 kg. High fertility, easy calving, milk pro duction, docility, early sexual maturity, and mothering ability are the breed hallmarks. The Shorthorn has been used to create 52 new breeds, includ ing the Bonsmara, Santa Gertrudis, and Beefmaster in South Africa. The breed belongs to the Bos taurus group. Production regions As a result of the breed's adaptability, it is produced all over Southern Africa. The breed is able to finish off on the veld, producing top grades of quality and tender beef. Use The breed can be used in closed herds on its own as well as in cross-breeding programmes to improve the qualities of indigenous breeds. The ability to grow quickly and easily is said to be passed down by both bulls and cows.

Dark red, smooth coats and wellhooded eyes prevent cancer and pink eyes. Strong legs help them to travel far in search of food and water. The breed belongs to the Bos taurus group.

Santa Gertrudis became the first synthetic breed recognised by the USDA in 1940. The breed's name comes from one of King Ranch's early names: "Los Cerros de Santa Gertrudis". Santa Gertrudis are medium-framed cattle, with mature cows weighing 500 to 700 kg and bulls weighing 900 to 1 100 kg. Strong maternal traits help cows produce small calves, an average size of 36 kg, which grow to 230 kg as weaners. Cows’ average milk produc tion is of top quality and has a high butterfat content. Cows can produce high-quality calves up to 15 years of age and may babysit each other's calves while the mother grazes.

Cattle breeds Part 4

Production regions Santa Gertrudis adapts to a wide range of climates, whether hot or cool, bushy or sparsely vegetated. Use While Santa Gertrudis cattle can be kept in closed herds on their own, they are also used in crossbreeding programmes to improve meat quality, maternal traits, and hardiness in other breeds. Performance tests show that the breed is one of the fastest growers, gaining 1,6 to 2 kg per day. They also have superior feed conversion, with many bulls consuming less than 6 kg of feed per kg of weight gain. The breed is perfectly adapted for feedlots because of their excellent grading and weight gain potential. Meat quality The breed is the "number one per former on veld and feedlot," according to Santa Gertrudis SA, with slaughter percentages among the highest of all breeds, averaging around 65 percent. The meat is of excellent quality as well.

Meat quality Because the Shorthorn is an English breed, its meat has a lot of marbling, which means it has a lot of flavour. Shorthorn cows. (Image source: Shorthornbeefshorthorn.org)bull.(Image source: beefshorthorn.org) by Natasha Kruger

NoseRing® is available at Livestock Services, Lusaka –Pamodzi Highway, o Nangwenya Tel:Showgrounds;Road,0211-254497 / 254024; E-mail: admin@livestock.co.zm www.nosering.co.za

Simbra bull. (Image source: twitter. com) Simbra cow and calf. (Image source: kamab-simbra.com)

Uses Simmentalers excel in closed herds and when mixed with other breeds to cre ate hybrid power. Because of the way Simmentaler bulls accelerate growth in other breeds, producing weaners that fetch premium prices due to their high demand in feedlots, Simmentaler SA refers to them as the "king of cross breeding". The cows have outstanding maternal qualities.

Meat quality In crossbred cattle, Simmental cattle provide good growth, a large frame, and thus a higher beef yield. With white fat and excellent marbling, it improves the meat's quality.

Simmentaler cow and calves. (Image source: agriland.ie)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 15 References Southafrica.co.za. (2022). South African Beef Breeds. [online] Avail able at: Hofmeyr,Loubser,south-african-beef-breeds.htmlhttps://southafrica.co.za/A.,Schutte,N.andI.,(2007). Cattle breeds of South Africa. Pretoria, AgriCon nect, Pages 97-165. NoseRing® Wean with ease | No stress | Next to the mother NoseRing • Wean with ease • No stress • Next to the mother PO Box 1806, Vryburg,8600, South Africa Tel: +27 (0)53 Cell: +27 (0)82 E-mail: judy@nosering.co.zawww.nosering.co.zaTel: +27 (0)53 927 4999 Cell: +27 (0)82 459 judy@nosering.co.za9451

Simbra The Simbra is a new breed of cattle that was created in the United States in the 1960s by crossing Simmentalers and Brahmans to get the best qualities of each breed. South Africa registered the first Simbra in 1986. It was a mix of the Simmentaler's meat and milk produc tion and the Brahman's resistance to disease and hardiness. Simbra cattle must meet strict physical and performance require ments to be registered, which is why they're so popular in Southern Africa.

Production regions In temperate regions, where weaner production is important, the Simmen taler percentage will be higher, while the Brahman percentage will be higher in more strenuous conditions. Most of the animals are produced by South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. The breed produces beef efficiently, espe cially in extensive systems. Uses Using a Simbra instead of a crossbreeding system ensures that you always have the best mix of Simmen taler and Brahman. It is also easier to manage a herd as a result of this. They are used in commercial herds for crossbreeding, and to produce calves that feedlots want. Meat quality The quality of the meat might be con sidered as better than Brahman meat. Simmentaler Southern Africa's beef industry uses Simmentalers. The breed's name comes from Switzerland's Simme River Valley. The Simmentaler has good muscle and little fat. Cows weigh an average of 480 kg and bulls weigh 650 to 950 kg, depending on environmental condi tions. The breed belongs to the Bos taurusSimmentalergroup. cattle have smooth coats in gold, red, white, black, or red in Europe and America. South African animals are white and dark red, with well-pigmented eyes. Cattle are calm and easy to handle. The breed was developed to produce meat, milk, and draught animals. In the 1950s, Namibian cattle produced most of their income from cream. Production regions Simmentalers gained popularity in South Africa only in the 1960s, af ter interbreeding tests revealed their superior performance. Simmentalers were imported in large numbers from Namibia, and later from Germany and Austria. Imports fell after 1975 as a result of the development of locally adapted Simmentalers, which are now produced all over the country. The Simmentaler Cattle Breeders' Society of Southern Africa was founded in 1964 by breeders from Namibia and South Africa, and since then, it has been the first to move away from subjective animal judging by combin ing performance testing figures with appearance in the show ring.

Fertility is prioritised. Simbra cows weigh 450 to 580 kg and bulls 600 to 800 kg. The produc tion environment affects the size of the cattle. In areas with abundant feed, cattle will be slightly larger than in poorerSimbraareas.cattle have a small hump and larger ears than European breeds. Breeders are creating polled lines. Simbras are brown or red with white faces. Third and fourth generation animals must have pigmented eyelids to prevent eye and skin cancer. Curly and woolly-coated animals cannot register because they do not thrive under stress.

Simmentaler bull. (Image source: agriland.ie)

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P 30 - 60 mg/kg K 100 - 250 mg/kg Ca 300 - 2 000 mg/kg Mg 120 - 300 mg/kg Na 10 - 50 mg/kg

Suboptimal humidity can cause infertil ity, deformed or flat fruit, increased evaporation that causes wilting, and blossom end rot. Bell peppers require fertile soil as vegetable production relies on nutri ent levels of the soil. Plant roots need aeration to ensure good root forma tion. They do not perform well in clay soils, but sandy to loam soil is optimal. Peppers need to be well drained, at least up to a depth of 600 mm. Soil pH should be 5,6 to 6,8. Pepper fields should be as far away from tobacco plantings as possible to prevent the spread of viruses.

Peppers intended to be sold as col oured peppers are usually harvested at the colour break stage. (Source: pexels)

• Reducing production costs.

Planting Begin by sowing ten to twelve seeds 45 cm apart on rows that are 75 cm apart. You can thin out plants to only have two plants per stand when they are 8 to 10 cm tall. The seeding rate per hectare is approximately 100 to 200 g of seeds. You can also plant the seeds in seed trays and transplant it later like most commercial farmers do, as it reduces the need to thin out plants. Directly sown peppers have a risk of being hampered by soil crust. When using trays in a greenhouse, seedlings are transplanted after 6 to 8 weeks when they are 150 to 200 mm tall. Most peppers mature in 60 to 90 days, but hot peppers can take up to 150 days. In general, pepper plants are more vulnerable to damage and envi ronmental conditions than other crops such as tomatoes.

• Lowering the chance of compaction.

Fertilisation

• Not restricting root development.

The fertilising programme you will follow will depend on the soil type, pH and the nutrients in the soil. Ideally, the soil’s nutrient breakdown should be as follows: Bell peppers at various colour stages. (Source: pexels)

• Lowering root disease prevalence.

• Improving water retention.

• Increasing vegetative growth.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 17 B ell peppers, sweet peppers or just good old peppers, these vegetables are jam packed with nutrients. Red peppers contain 300% the daily re quirement of Vitamin C — significantly more than Botanicallyoranges.speaking, peppers are fruits. Most commonly they are re ferred to as vegetables when it comes to culinary purposes and speaking aboutGreenproduce.bellpeppers are the unripe stage of the vegetable. As it matures, it changes colour, first turning yellow, then orange, and then red. It may happen that this ripening does not always occur uniformly, thus some peppers may have multiple colours in the early ripening stages. It’s also interesting to note that as peppers ripen, the more nutritious they become. Their levels of vitamins and minerals increase with age. A large red bell pepper contains 209 mg of vitamin C, whereas an aver age orange only contains 70 mg. Bell peppers are a member of the Capsicum family. It is however the only member of that family that does not cause a strong burning sensation when consumed, such as the hot pep per varieties, chillies, habaneros or jalapenos. Climatic and soil requirements It is a warm season crop and does not like frost. The development of pepper crops decreases when the temperature drops below 12 °C. At 6 °C, the leaves die, and the flowers begin to fall. This can also happen when it is too hot with temperatures above 35 °C. If the temperatures between night and day fluctuate too much, it can reduce fruit quality and yield. Ideally, night temperature should be 16 to 18 °C, and daytime 25 to 28 °C. The germi nation of pepper seed is slow if soil temperatures are too low, but seedling emergence accelerates as the temper atureCropsincreases.alsoneed a good amount of light to ensure fruit formation. Hot peppers can withstand higher tempera tures than sweet peppers.

• Increasing tolerance to drought and stress.

Part 16: Let’s ring the bell (pepper)

Soil preparation With bell peppers, the highest per centage roots will be found in the top 600 mm of the soil. Soil preparation benefits the plants by:

Uses Bell peppers are usually used as an ingredient in salads, stews and other dishes. It can also be added to stir fries, but it can be eaten on its own as a healthy snack. These vegetables can also be canned and used at a later date. To find out more, you can read the article about Processing of condiments Part 14: Pick led bell peppers in Issue 75 of ProAgri Zambia or on our website at www. proagrimedia.com.

• Increasing uptake of moisture and nutrients. The steps used in soil preparation will differ according to the soil composi tion. Use a fork or hoe to break up the clumps in the soil, making a fine seed bed. Prepare the soil to a depth of between 300 and 600 mm. Remove all stones and straw. Make the seedbed 120 to 150 cm wide. Create ridges that promote good drainage and root oxygenation. Remember to practice crop rotation.

Vegetable production

Split applications of nutrients can be used. On sandy soils lower dosages and more frequent split applications of topdressing are used. Phosphorus should be applied before planting. Potassium fertilisers are ap plied during planting. Pay attention to your crop because bell peppers are sensitive to calcium, zinc, manganese, iron, boron and mo lybdenum deficiency. Irrigation Waterlogged conditions for more than

The ideal humidity level for peppers is between 65 and 85%. It ensures ef fective pollen release and distribution, and prevent several foliar diseases.

• Promoting oxygen in the soil.

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Bacterial wilt

Pseudomonas solanacearum causes bacterial wilt. Older plants show wilt ing on lower leaves, and young plants show signs on upper leaves. After this, the rest of the plant quickly wilts. High rainfall and warm weather enhances its severity.Control with crop rotation is an ef fectiveBacterialmethod.soft rot is caused by Erwinia carotovora subsp. It affects harvested fruit, as well as wounds on weak plants. The disease is worsened by rainy Controlconditions.methodsinclude harvesting dry fruit to reduce rot, and reducing damage during handling. Insecticides can help prevent wounds that can be infected. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) Signs of infection include peppers that show stunting, systemic chlorosis, mo saic patterns, necrosis and leaf drop. Remove the virus from seeds by soaking them in a 10% solution of trisodium phosphate for two hours.

Bacterial leaf spot (BLS) has the biggest economic impact on pepper production. Symptoms include leaf spots on the undersides of leaves. The wet areas become larger and turn to a purple-grey with a black centre. Eventually the leaves turn yellow and fall off. The peppers create blister-like damage that extend into the heart of the pepper. Any remaining fruit is burnt by the sun due to the lost foliage. Control methods include planting a cultivar that is resistant and practic ing crop rotation. All seeds need to be certified as disease free. Field sanita tion is vital. Drip irrigation may also play a role in the spread of the disease. Remember to destroy the debris after harvest. Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) The entire pepper plant can be infected with this virus. Symptoms include root rot, leaf blight and fruit rot. The peppers appear to be mouldy and cancerous. Controlling practices include avoid ing soil that drains badly. You can also plant disease-free seed and resistant varieties. A lovely green bell pepper and flowers. (Source: Pixabay) Bell pepper roots do not grow too deep; they even do well in pots. (Source: pexels) Purple varieties of bell peppers exist in nature, but they are not as com monly produced as the other colours. (Source: Pixabay) Powdery mildew caused by Leveillula Taurica These symptoms show chlorotic spots on the upper leaf surface. The leaves sometimes show a white powder and it targets older leaves first. Eventually the leaves Fungicidesdrop.can be used to control the disease. Damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani and certain Pythium species This mainly affects young seedlings. It can prevent seedlings from emerging, causing small seedlings to collapse. Undecomposed material in the soil and a lot of moisture enhances the severity of the disease. You can use registered fungicide to treat the plants.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 19 twelve hours can cause root rot. Wa ter stress due to too little water also causes slower development. Flowering plants are likely to drop blossoms and loose fruit. In sandy soil, more frequent light irrigation is adequate. Since clay soil does not drain well, heavier irrigation should be separated by longer intervals without irrigation. The optimum amount of water is ap proximately 25 mm per week, or 50 mm in extreme hot or dry conditions. It is best to avoid furrow irrigation as this causes root rot and conditions that encourage diseases. Drip irrigation may be an effective choice in arid regions.

Harvesting Peppers are mainly sold in the green stage. All capsicum species are green when they are unripe, and change colour to match the genetic back ground only when fully mature. There are many colours on the market, but the main colours are red, yellow and orange. Not yet ripe fruits have a much longer shelf life so it is usually harvest ed at this stage. If intended to be sold as coloured peppers, they are harvest ed during the colour break stage.

Other sources: Sweet pepper production guideline, Department of Agriculture, For estry and Fisheries. Sweet & Hot Peppers Production Guideline, Starke Ayres. as possible from maize. Good weed ing around the fields, destroying crop residue and ploughing the fields in the fall also help. Mites Damage from mite infestations is iden tified by curling leaves. They often turn brown, mostly on the bottom of the leave and become brittle. The peppers show a discoloured, uneven surface and can even be misshaped.

Control measures include using resist ant cultivars and mulching with plastic.

Pest and disease control Aphids Vegetables infested with aphids can not be used for the market due to the honeydew secretions of the aphids as it is associated with sooty mould fungi. Most plants also show stunted growth and deformed leaves. Aphid females can reproduce without mating with males. The insects are most active from mid-summer to fall, but weather changes also have anControlimpact.practices include good field and greenhouse sanitation, controlling weeds and destroying crop debris after the harvest. European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) The larvae of the borer dig holes in the fruit. It leads to surface damage, pre mature ripening and a risk for fruit-rot pathogens. Sometimes the damage is not visible until the pepper is cut open. Controlling the insects include en suring pepper fields are as far away

Thrips Damage from thrips cause leaves to curl upward and become narrow. The underside of the leaves turn silver. The peppers show a discoloured, uneven surface and can even be misshaped.

Disease Bacterialcontrolleafspot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria)

The most effective control is to en sure that there are no host plants from the nightshade family. Insecticides and miticides can also be applied.

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Because of the bitter taste of brevi dens, the younger generation may pre fer the close relative Crotalaria ochrole uca, also known as rattlepod. Brevidens grows about 210 cm high, while ochro leuca grows up to 250 cm tall.

Slender leaf (Crotalaria ochroleuca). (Image source: eol.org) (Image source: Janet Machuka, MalabarTwitter) spinach fruit sap is used as a food colouring. (Image source: inaturalist.org)

In the following issues, we shall look at ten neglected and underutilised ancient plants that are brimming with nutrition and are easy to grow in a backyard gar den or on a small-scale farm. These ten plants include leafy vegeta bles (slender leaf and malabar spinach), edible leaves and pods (cowpeas), beans (marama, lablab and bambara), roots (jute mallow) and fruit (horned melon). Slender leaf (Crotalaria brevidens and ochroleuca) Slender leaf, which is also known as rattlepod, rattle pea, or Ethiopian rattlebox, is a tropical legume. It is na tive to tropical Africa and occurs from northern Nigeria, eastwards towards Ethiopia and southwards towards the southern parts of Tanzania. It is still cultivated in these East African coun tries, as well as in Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda. It is also to some extent used in West Africa. From its East African origins, the plant was also widely distributed to Mediterranean countries, the West Indies, and the Americas. A market survey in western Kenya showed that the plant was one of the top ten priority African indigenous veg etables in the region. The plant grows in grasslands, de ciduous woodlands, and bushlands, as well as seasonally swampy grasslands and sometimes on termite mounds. It also grows naturally on cultivated land, in clearings of highland dry forests, and along roads. The young leaves and shoots are eaten as a leafy vegetable and can be boiled, fried, or used as a potherb in stews and soups to provide nutritious greens and flavour.

Cultivation

Medicinal value Slender leaf is used to treat an upset stomach and malaria. It has agricultural advantages as it can produce seed under tropical condi tions and drought. It grows well even when the soil is nitrogen poor, as it can fix atmospheric nitrogen. It is a suitable intercrop for finger millet, as it can be used as green ma nure. It has also been used as a fodder crop. The plant can be used to curb the development of the striga weed (Striga hermonthica), an obnoxious ce real crop weed. by Tisha Steyn (Image source: Janet Machuka, Twitter)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 21 I n previous issues, we discussed the value of indigenous and ancient food plants of Africa that can provide es sential nutrition that is lacking from ‘modern’ food plants that are presently cultivated in many African countries. Even though there may be enough food to keep the continent’s communi ties from starving, modern vegetables do not provide sufficient nutrition to keep people healthy. Malnutrition in pregnant mothers causes sickly babies who are not strong enough to fight disease, stunted physical growth and mental slowness in young children, and obesity in adults. Although they may have enough food, these foods – espe cially fast foods that are sold at street stalls – provide a lot of carbohydrates (starch), but not enough protein.

Nutritional value Slender leaf is one of the important Af rican indigenous vegetables as the ed ible young leaves and shoots contribute 100% of the daily dietary requirement for vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, as well as 40% of proteins per 100 g of the fresh weight.

The seeds of the slender leaf can be scattered freely or planted in rows 30 cm apart. After six weeks, the seed lings need to be thinned out to 15 to 20 cmThereapart.are several ways of harvesting the plant. It can either be uprooted as a whole and the leaves used immedi ately, as they only stay fresh for a day. The leaves can also be harvested from the growing plant, which will con tinue to grow another eight weeks until the plant starts flowering. Also, after eight weeks the main shoot can be cut off 10 to 15 cm above the ground to allow new shoots to grow. The leaves on these new shoots will be ready to pick after two weeks. The leaf yield is about ten tonnes of green matter per hectare. The leaves can be harvested up to fifteen times for four months if they are picked every two weeks. During the dry sea son, the plant stops growing and must be uprooted.

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Additional resource: AbukutsaOnyango, M. (2007) Response of slender leaf (Crotalaria brevidens Benth) to inorganic nitrogen ap plication. African Journal of Food Agriculture Nutrition and Develop ment, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2007 Available at: nals/ija/2020/2710907/https://www.hindawi.com/jour

activity. It is used for healing ulcers and a decoction is a safe laxative for pregnant women and children. It is also reported to improve testosterone levels in males, thus boosting libido.

Medicinal value

The plant has anti-inflammatorygastro-protective,andwound-healing

Cultivation guidelines This spinach differs from other spinach plants because it is a perennial, climb ing vegetable that keeps on growing as long as it is taken care of. It grows all year long and loves warm weather, unlike conventional spinach that grows new shoots on the ground and prefers cooler weather. A sheltered, sunny spot is ideal, as it is vulnerable to frost. It requires a minimum daytime Striga weed (Striga hermonthica), an obnoxious cereal crop weed. (Image source: commons.wikime dia.org) temperature of 15 ° Celsius, but can tolerate low night temperatures that sometimes fall below 10° Celsius. The plant needs well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and retains moisture. It prefers sandy loam, but can tolerate relatively poor soil with a pH level of between 4,3 and 7. It is fairly resistant to pests and disease. The fast-growing plant is ready to harvest between four to six weeks and will yield up to 40 kg of leaves from a ten-metre square bed over 75 days. The leaves that are picked from the vine must be eaten on the same day.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 23 Farmers usually harvest their own seeds, which can be stored up to three years. Research has shown a germina tion success of more than 90%, which is better than other leafy greens in Africa. Although slender leaf is one of the most promising indigenous vegetables in Kenya, the potential has not yet been fully exploited. Despite the high nutritional and economic value, it has been neglected by researchers and farmers, who have concentrated on ex otic and already improved vegetables.

The plant grows in tropical Africa and Asia. It is native plant of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and New Guinea, and has also been used for ages in Brazil, Belize, Colombia, the Philippines, the West Indies, Fiji, and French Polynesia.

Nutritional value

Malabar spinach (Basella alba) Malabar spinach is a perennial vine that belongs to the family Basellaceae. It is widely used as a leafy green vegetable with a green stem, or a reddish-purple stem in the Rubra variety.

The leaves and stem tips are eaten raw or cooked, while an infusion of the leaves is used as a tea substitute. The fruit sap is used as a food colouring in pastries and sweets.

The plant has a high protein con tent compared to the low calories it contains. It is also high in vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium. It is a good vegetarian protein option and great for health-conscious people.

Contact details: Jurie van der Walt at jurievdw@mweb.co.za. His books are freely available on re quest. The history of food and why we eat it (2020), and We need to revive the ancient indigenous food crops of Africa (2021).

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Running SprinklerOver-watered area Plugged Sprinkler Under-watered area Detect Irrigation Issues Difficult to See with the Naked Eye 10/21 MalfunctionsIrrigationEarly Detect pivot-related faults whether it be plugged nozzles or leaky gaskets. Easy-to-Use The Valley applicationInsightsiseasy to set up and simple to use. Prevent Wateringunder/over Ensure crop uniformity and that your crops are getting the optimal amount of irrigation. Grower Trusted Leading growers in the field trust Valley Insights to give them the insights they need to make better decisions. more information, visit valleyirrigation.com/precision-ag/valley-insights or contact your local Valley Dealer. Scan this QR code with your smartphone to download the App. Only available in select regions. valleyirrigation.com

GL1076

STEP YouSetupInitial1oryour Valley Dealer provides a list of your fields and pivot GPS locations.

STEP ImagesCollectionData2ofyourfields are captured daily via satellite through RGB and NDVI imaging.

STEP YouSetupInitial1oryour Valley Dealer provides a list of your fields and pivot GPS locations.

STEP UsingAnalysisField3computer vision algorithms, the imagery is analyzed in search of irrigation irregularities.

How Does it Work?

Running SprinklerOver-watered area Plugged Sprinkler Under-watered area Detect Irrigation Issues Difficult to See with the Naked Eye Detect MalfunctionsIrrigationEarly pivot-related faults whether it be plugged nozzles or leaky gaskets. Easy-to-Use The Valley applicationInsightsiseasy to set up and simple to use. Prevent Wateringunder/over Ensure crop uniformity and that your crops are getting the optimal amount of irrigation. Grower Trusted Leading growers in the field trust Valley Insights to give them the insights they need to make better decisions.

STEP cropsirrigationReceiveDetectionAccurate4alertsregardingissueswhereyourneedattention.

Scan this QR code with your

valleyirrigation.com

smartphone to download the App. valleyirrigation.com Valley Insights® powered by Insights Satellite? Collectionyourfields are daily via satellite RGB and NDVI STEP UsingAnalysisField3computer vision algorithms, the imagery is analyzed in search of irrigation irregularities. STEP cropsirrigationReceiveDetectionAccurate4alertsregardingissueswhereyourneedattention. Running SprinklerPlugged Sprinkler Under-watered area Irrigation Issues Difficult to See with the Naked Eye Easy-to-Use Insightsiseasy to set simple to use. Prevent Wateringunder/over Ensure crop uniformity and that your crops are getting the optimal amount of irrigation. Grower Trusted Leading growers in the field trust Valley Insights to give them the insights they need to make better decisions. valleyirrigation.com/precision-ag/valley-insights Scan this QR code with your smartphone to download the App. +27-60-048-7233 Valley Insights are compatible with all brands of centre pivots

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 27 Only available in select regions.

Valley Insights® powered by Why Choose Irrigation Insights Satellite?

How

Valley Insights powered by Why Choose Irrigation Insights Satellite?

STEP UsingAnalysisField3computer vision algorithms, the imagery is analyzed in search of irrigation irregularities.

• Keep track of the pre-harvest period.

the number of individuals per square metre must be counted, and a decision must be based on that count. The need for Quela bird control is determined by the number of birds per 500 m2 in a given area. Pests usually do their dam age after four days. As a result, quick action is recommended. If there are pests that move around, agricultural extension officers should be able to tell you what to do. Choosing pesticides based on these factors

• Determine if there are water sup ply issues.

• Decide whether or not to use a high-volume water spray or a lowvolume oil spray.

• Prefer a lower toxicity active in gredient (LD 50 percentage) over a higher toxicity active ingredient.

• Whenever possible, use an active ingredient that is only effective against the primary pest.

Chemical control and pesticide selection by Natasha Kruger

• To avoid pesticide resistance, alternate pesticides from different groups when repeating the control measure.

Choosing when to spray:

Migratory pests have a control threshold Control threshold levels have been es tablished for most migrating pests by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry. For locusts and armyworm,

• Choose the active ingredient that degrades the quickest in soil and water.

• The killing effect is reached by contact, not ingestion, if the pesti cide has systemic (translocated to other parts of the plant) or contact effects.

applying pesticides: Choose the active ingredient in a pesticide:

Choosing a method of application:

• Determine if a spot-spraying tech nique can be used.

• Ensure that pests are at their most vulnerable stage of growth.

• Make a plan for applying the pes ticide.

Methods of chemical pest control

• Find out how much concentration you need to put in.

• Ensure that all necessary safety precautions can be taken before, during, and after application.

• Ensure that the weather is suit able.

28 ProAgri BNZ 35 Namibia

• Care and maintenance must be provided for all the equipment that will be used.

Formulation selection:

• Check what application equipment is available and where the pes ticide should act (on a leaf, on a fruit, on a stem, in the soil).

• Determine the appropriate applica tion equipment for a given set of circumstances.

Crop production guide Namibia part 12:

Pesticides are classified according to potential dangers Pesticides' toxicity values are a good indicator of their potential harm to humans. Toxicology of the pesticide's active ingredient does not accurately reflect the dangers of pesticide expo sure. Here is an illustration of what thatToxicmeans:tohumans but not to the average consumer, because of its low concentration and marketing as a solid formulation (for example granules) or with low volatility, an ingredient like artificial intelligence in a product may be classified as "very toxic". Even though the product itself has a low level of toxicity, the fact that it is sold as a liquid with solvents that help it get into the skin quicker may make it riskier for the user.

• Determine if granules can be used.

• The right time of day is crucial.

(Image source: pixabay.com)

• Establish that the control threshold has been met.

The following must be done before

Oral

effects Skin

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 29

VERY

or40less corneaCorrosiveopacitynotreversiblein7days Corrosive Ib Highly

TOXIC

corneaCorrosiveopacitynotreversiblein7days Corrosive II Moderately hazardous HARMFUL y yellow colourcoded band 50–500 200–2000 100–1000 400–4000 Cornea reversibleopacityin7days irritationSeverefor72hours III Slightly hazardous CAUTION bblue colour-coded band over 500 over 2000 over 1000 over 4000 Noopacitycornea irritationModeratefor72hours IV Acute hazard unlikely by normal use ggreen codedcolour-band over 2000 over 3000 No irritation Mild or irritationslightfor72hours The terms “solids” and “liquids” refer to the physical state of the product of formulation being classified. b A colour-coded band, stretching across at least the bottom of the sales panel of the label. c LD50 = Measurement of the acute toxicity due to a single dose of exposure to chemical, oral (stomach uptake), dermal (skin absorption) or through inhalation. The formulation together with the quantity of the active ingredient of the product gives the right hazard level. 100 mg corresponds to a pinch; 1 mg corresponds to a drop; 2 g corresponds to a filled crown cork Table 1. Pesticides classified according to potential dangers • Drift and run off are hazards.potential • Applicator, help ers, or process.wayharmedmalshumansotheroraniwillnotbeinanyduringthis • The pest's behav iour and growth pattern (bait versus broadcast spray, granu lar versus foliar spray). • Cost. • An mustapplicationbemade for a specific type of forest,pasture,(plantenvironmentproduction,aquatic,urban). Choose the active ingredient that degrades the quickest in soil and water. (Image source: unsplash.com by Markus Winkler)

Formulation-based categorisation of pesticide products It is common for a pesticide's active ingredient to be sold in a variety of formulations. It is necessary to select the formulation that is most appropri ate for each situation. Always read the label for the active ingredient's concentration and formu lation. For example, 50 WP (wettable powder) contains 50% of the active in gredient. A gramme of active ingredient per litre is the unit of measure for liquid formulations. For example, a 300 EC is an emulsifiable concentrate with 300 grammes of active ingredient per litre. Keep the following factors in mind when selecting a formulation: • Protect the plant or surface. Pesti cides with a high concentration can cause damage to plants. This is a plant-specific phenomenon. • Appropriate tools should be used for the job. Toxicity class (incl. Pictogram) c LD50 for the rat (mg/kg body mass) harmful only by wrong use Poisoning indicators when wrongly used (mouth) Dermal (skin) Eye effects Solids Liquids Solids Liquids Extremely hazardous TOXIC bredcodedcoloured-band 5 or less 20 or less 10 or less hazardous bred colour-coded band 5–50 20–200 10–100 40–400

30 ProAgri BNZ 35 Namibia Tel: +264 61 331 080 Faks: +264 61 255 820 www.whkla.com Lazarett Kommersiële Komplex, Eenheid 1 + 7, Suidelike Industriële Area, 64 Lazarett Straat, Windhoek, Namibië Maandag Dinsdag Woensdag Donderdag Vrydag Saterdag Sondag Gobabis Grootvee Windhoek Grootvee Rehoboth Grootvee Windhoek Grootvee Gobabis Grootvee Rehoboth Kleinvee Hochfeld Grootvee Kalkrand Grootvee 1 2 3 4 5 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 8 15 22 29 9 16 23 30 10 17 24 11 18 25 30 2 OPKOMENDE SEPTEMBER VEILINGS September 2022 AUCTION CALENDER Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1AuctionShowStampriet 2AuctionShowStampriet 5 6 GochasHaruchas 7 8 9 Mariental Goat, Sheep, Cattle 12 13 villeLeonard- 14 Mariental Cattle 15 16 19 20 Koës 21 hoopKeetmans- 22 23 26 27 Monica 28 Aranos 29 30 Mariental Goat, Sheep, Cattle WallacePSEsterhuizenKosieStrauss&TheronConstantia

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 31 Suffix Meaning Description Advantage Disadvantage EC or E concentrateEmulsifiable Liquid containingformulationtheactive ingredient and an emulsifier to mix it with water. • relatively low price • easy handling • little visible residues on fresh vegetables • high concentration is easily overdosed or underdosed (phytotox icity, that is sensitiv ity to high concentration)pesticide • easily throughabsorbedtheskin WP or W Wettable powder The active ingredient is combined with a finely ground carrier that enhances the ability of the powder to suspend in water. • relatively low price • easy handling; lower phytotoxicity hazard than other liquid for mulations (ECs) • easily measured and mixed • less skin and eye ab sorption than ECs • inhalation hazard while pouring and mixing the powder • requires good and con stant agitation in the spray tank • abrasive to pumps and nozzles FL or F Flowables Liquid formulation consist ing of a finely ground active ingredient, should be mixed with water. • easy to handle and apply • seldom clogs nozzles • requires moderate agitation • leaves visible residues D Dust Low percentage of active ingredient on a very fine dry inert carrier like talc or chalk. Ready to use. • no water needed • simple equipmentapplication(cotton sack with a stick) • danger of drift • severe inhalation hazard G Granular The active ingredient is coated or absorbed onto coarse particles like clay, often used for soil applica tion. • ready to use, no mixing • poor drift hazard • simple equipmentapplication • does not stick to foli age • expensive • may need to be incor porated into soil • may need soil moisture ULV Ultra-low concentratevolume An oil-based liquid for mulation which has to be applied with specialised equipment as is or diluted with a small quantity of diesel oil. Designed to apply only ± 2 ℓ/ha. • mostly ready to use • no water is needed • less applicationtime-consumingprocess • wind condition should be stable • severe hazard of inhalation due to high concentration • expensive application equipment needed The information in this article is credited to the Namibia Agricultural Union and Namibia National Farm ers Union who published the Crop Production Manual in 2008. Check what application equip ment to use for each pesticide. (Image source: pexels.com by Prakash Aryal)

From pig to pork

T here is nothing that excites pig farmers more than seeing their herd healthy and having attained the ideal slaughter weight they sought for. It means their arduous labour put into rearing the animals will have paid off and the investment made from project inception, feeding, health, and project management can be finally recouped through sales. However, if the slaugh ter process is not properly executed, losses can still be experienced. The final product of the slaughtered pig depends on the market demands such as suckling, porker, baconer, grower or finisher. The general slaugh ter process starts with ante-mortem inspection, to stunning, dehairing, skinning, washing of the carcass, evis ceration, post-mortem inspection, and then finally refrigeration, handling and transport of carcasses and meat to the desired market. Prior to slaughtering, it is paramount that the pigs are not stressed in any manner as it affects the meat qual ity. Farmers should avoid deprivation of water or food, rough handling, and exhaustion of pigs due to transporting over long distances. Furthermore, mix ing of animals reared separately can result in fighting. The main purpose of inspection during the slaughter process is to as sess the health of pigs before death (ante-mortem) and after death (post-mortem). This guarantees safety and quality of meat for the market. Observing the animals’ behaviour to check for signs and symptoms of dis ease, isolating animals that show signs of disease, illness, or injury and verify ing identification records and tags are some of the methods employed during thisAnte-mortemprocess. inspection averts infection of premises, equipment, carcasses, and personnel, thus ena bling the implementation of control, disinfection, and preventive methods to containStunningdiseases.isthe most common method used during the slaughter of pigs for commercial production systems. For subsistence and small holder systems throat slitting is usually employed. There are other methods for killing the animal such as the lethal injection and bullet-free firearms. Methods of stunning are captivebolt stunning followed by bleeding or pithing, percussion stunning, electri cal stunning and carbon dioxide gas stunning. The dehairing process is done by first scalding the pig in water at around 60 °C for about six minutes, which loosens the hair in the follicles. If the temperature is too low, the hair will not come loose properly, and if it is too high the skin will be cooked, and hair removal will be difficult. Dipping the pig into a water tank works better. Dehairing can be done using a bell scraper or knife, or a mechanical de hairing machine. In cases where the skin is required for leather production, the pig is dipped in a bath containing a hot resin adhesive. After the adhe sive has set, the resin adhesive is then peeled off pulling the hair with it from theSkinning,roots. as the name implies, is the removal of the skin from the carcass. Usually, two operators work together on a pig to slit open the skin on the legs and opening the skin to the stage where it can be pulled off the back. Skinning is usually done with the car cassEvisceration,hanging. also known as gutting, requires a longitudinal incision from the pubis to the neck to remove the offal. The rectum is loosened and tied off. The incision cuts through the pel vis, and the bladder and sexual organs are removed. The foreskin in male pigs must not be punctured as it is a source of infection. Depending on the market requirements, the pig can be split down theThebackbone.carcass is washed to remove Pork carcasses are stored in large refrigerators to prevent them from going bad. (Source: Pixabay)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 33

Pig farming Part 5:

34 ProAgri BNZ 35 Our Branches: • Harare - Telford Rd. (Head Ofﬁce) • Harare - Cnr. Robson Manyika / 4th St. • Harare - 36A Kelvin Road • Bulawayo - 97 Jason Moyo St • Mutare - 33 - 39 Tembwe St. • Masvingo - 34 Bradburn St. • Marondera - 558A Fourth St. • Chinhoyi - 21 Commercial St. • Chipinge - 1079 7th Ave. • Gweru - 67 3rd St. Our Branches: • Harare - Telford Rd. (Head Ofﬁce) • Harare - Cnr. Robson Manyika / 4th St. • Harare - 36A Kelvin Road • Bulawayo - 97 Jason Moyo St • Mutare - 33 - 39 Tembwe St. • Masvingo - 34 Bradburn St • Marondera - 558A Fourth St. • Chinhoyi - 21 Commercial St. • Chipinge - 1079 7th Ave. • Gweru - 67 3rd St. packing punch!powerfulaOurBranches: +263 772 282 000 www.fivetanimalhealth.com Your partners in profitable animal production • Harare - Telford Rd. (Head Office) • Harare - Cnr. Robson Manyika / 4th St. • Harare - 36A Kelvin Road • Bulawayo - 97 Jason Moyo St. • Mutare - 33 - 39 Tembwe St. • Masvingo - 34 Bradburn St. • Marondera - 558A Fourth St. • Chinhoyi - 21 Commercial St. • Chipinge - 1079 7th Ave. Multidip controls ticks, biting insects, screw-worm, lice and flies. It can be used in plunge dip, spray race or hand spraying. Prodose Blue is an Internal Parasiticide for Cattle which helps treat the effects of roundworms and milk tapeworms. Together they are powerful partners protecting your cattle.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 35 visible soiling and blood stains to improve its appearance. It is impera tive to ensure that stains of gut con tents are cut off, and wiping cloths are notAccordingused. to the Techniques and Hygiene Practices in Slaughtering and Meat Handling guide produced by the Food and Agricultural organisation (FAO), a wet surface favours bacterial growth so only the minimum amount of water should be used, and chilling should start immediately.

A well-designed cooler will dry out the carcass quickly, inhibiting bac terial growth. The post-mortem inspection is done on the organs, lymph nodes, and the entire carcass to investigate indications of unwholesome conditions. If the meat is approved for human consumption, an inspection stamp is put along the length of the Refrigerationcarcass.isdone to delay bacte rial growth and extend the shelf-life of the meat. A deep muscle temperature of 6 to 7 °C should be achieved in 12 to 16 hours for the carcass, and the chilled meat must be kept cold until it is sold or cooked. Pigs kept at -1 °C attain an expected storage life of 1 to 2 weeks. The pig carcasses and offal are transported to retail outlets only by meat delivery vehicles that maintain the meat temperature at or near 0 °C. Meat inside the trucks should be sus pended on rails and if stockinettes are used, the farmer or company should ensure their cleanliness.

36 ProAgri BNZ 35 R hizovator THE ROOT OF SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION TM Rhizovator is designed to improve the growth of roots, which will result in better nutrient uptake Increased nutrient uptake leads to healthier plants that can withstand disease and environmental stresses much more effectively The beneﬁts of using Rhizovator Better Germination Early establishment of seedlings Early development of seeddlings Bigger, stronger plants Higher root mass Better root growth Increased nutrient use efﬁciency Better pathogen resistence Early micronutrient access Improved tolerance to drought stress Improved nutrient uptake Protection against pests and diesease Improved plant growth and root development RumaX B J P S u p p l i e s 3RUMAX 7m Exceptional Cutting and Mixing Properties MixerAffordable 1 Samuel Walters Street, Worcester +27 23 342 6070 www.rumax.co.za +27 86 626 8397

ntellectual knowledge blended with practical experience is always a wellbalanced combination in any profes sion. In a sector such as agriculture, the value such an individual brings on the ground is indispensable. Hughna Dlodlo is one such expert. Her contribution as an agronomist to vegetable and fruit production, which constitutes over 60% of Zimbabwe’s agricultural production systems, is invaluable.Shestarted her career working in the Department of Agriculture as an Exten sion Officer for five years, then moved into the private sector beginning with PANNAR Seeds. She did some private consultancy before joining Total Farm Solutions for a period of three years and then ventured out on her own again where she has become a soughtafter private consultant. Her interest in agriculture stems from the thrill she obtains from seeing a project grow from its initiation as it is nurtured to success. She says chal lenges keep her on her toes. “Chal lenges can be frustrating, but it allows me to grow as I have to find solutions to the various challenges.”

Meet Hughna Dlodlo, the crop whisperer by Tapuwa Mashangwa

Hughna says: “Zimbabwe has so much to offer and we must heep up the hope that better days are yet to come and a greener future awaits farmers.”

Hughna Dlodlo on a farm visit to asses multi-cropping under shade cloth. agriculture to supplement their income and as a retirement option. They understand the value of expertise. The government is also expanding programmes aimed at increasing agri cultural production. Most of Hughna’s farming work include a work plan and weekly report that makes the farm staff more ac countable and ensures that her advice is Throughfollowed.the use of the internet and mobile applications, she ensures that she is aware of climatic changes that may affect crop production, and if she finds that crops may be affected, she ensures that she relays precautionary measures to be put in place. She intends to maintain the high quality of products and services she offers, increase her staff, engage more with other regional and international people, attend more workshops and training opportunities, and reinvest into her own production system.

The idea to venture into consultancy came after realising that most farm ers lack the technical knowledge to run their enterprises commercially. The downside of consultancy is that most of the landowners are first genera tion commercial farmers lacking an appreciation for the services from the agricultural consultancy sector and can thus be reluctant to hire a consultant or pay for his/her services. As the agricultural sector is an ever evolving industry, she has to keep up with the challenges and industry de velopments. She does this through liai sons with other players in the industry about new developments in crop varie ties, pests, pesticides and fungicides. A lot of institutions offer free online courses on different subjects and she does her best to attend at least two different courses each month. Information technology has helped her operate more efficiently as her services have an increased coverage thanks to a lot of people using online services. Problem solving on farms is also simpler. “I do not always have to be on-site to assess problems and propose solutions,” says Hughna Agricultural bodies and institutions have been immensely helpful in her career. The efforts of organisations such as the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU), the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU), the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), and Zimbabwe Trade (ZimTrade) among others have helped her with information which expanded the consultancy’s product and service range, thereby increasing her client base. One of the challenges she faces is the unstable economy as most smallscale farmers are more focused on sur vival rather than investing in growth.

To assess pests and diseases you need to get down to it. Leaves tell a story and you can trust The Crop Whisperer to understand the language of plants.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 37

Another challenge is that some farm managers do not always fully follow agronomic recommendations and farm recording procedures as they some times have no one to report to. The adverse effects of drought, flooding and extreme high and low tempera tures have also seen some farmers lose their crops making them reluctant to invest in agricultural projects. At times the lack of practical experience of some industry experts makes it hard to find individuals to partner with on some of her projects. Any partner has to be screened thoroughly to ensure the quality of services. To face these challenges, Hughna has had to adapt quickly and in some cases lower her service charges to still attract low earning clients. On the upside, more professionals and expatriates are now turning to

Hughna Dlodlo doing her magic as private consultant in a tomato tunnel.

T he Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) show provides the per fect ground for national, regional, and international companies to advertise their products and services to increase brand awareness, and to foster market synergies through face-to-face busi ness dialogue with the objective of improving firm performance.

• environmental and climate change, • tourism.

38 ProAgri BNZ 35 Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) by Tampuwa Mashangwa

The ZITF 2022 show was Zimbabwe’s 62nd show and was successfully and safely held following the relaxation of strict Covid-19 rules. The event was well subscribed and highly successful in terms of quality of products, attendance numbers and networking opportunities. A variety of agricultural value chain players from national, regional, and international levels had exhibits at the 2022 show. There was a clear increase in value addition companies compared to previous years. This perfectly aligned with the show’s theme for 2022: Re think, Reimagine, Reinvent Value Chains For Economic Development.

Attendees at the ZITF 2022 show. (Photo: Sunday News)

Over 500 companies from various sec tors were in attendance. These indus tries included: • mining and manufacturing, • training • banking and finance, • telecommunications, • plastics, • stationery, • business services; • consumer goods, • clothing/textiles, • leather ware/footwear, • cosmetics/toiletries, • non-manufacturing, • construction,

• automotive • IT/hi-tech, • electronics and energy products, • food and processing, • agro chemicals, • packaging, • insurance and medical aid,

This array of agricultural participants could not have come at a better time considering the need for continued focus on improved production systems and service provision in light of the lower productivity caused by Covid-19. In addition, the ongoing war in Ukraine which seems to be threatening and reconfiguring agricultural markets for produce buyers and sellers, machinery and equipment manufacturers, and suppliers among other agro dealers, continue to impact on this need.

The business-to-business trading period in the first three days saw visitors from different business backgrounds walking through the exhibition centre. There was a significant number of senior level business executives, and represen tation from the policy makers up to the highest echelons of government.

A lot of visitors, especially Zimbabwean citizens, were fascinated and pleased with the advancement in new technol ogy being applied in agriculture, and new products now available off the shelf for consumption or medicinal purposes.Thetheme, ‘Rethink, Reimagine, Reinvent Value Chains For Economic Development’ was evident as tradi tional agricultural companies show cased updated technology, and as new companies exhibited products and services competitive on the interna tional market.

Over the past six months, most grain had to be imported, and several statu tory instruments monitoring trading in grain have been implemented.

hydroponic farming under greenhouse infrastructures.Fewergraincompanies exhibited their products, largely due to the 43 percent decline in grain production as a result of erratic rainfall patterns and drought.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 39

Photo: China Plus/Zhu Wanling Solar energy Solar energy related equipment com panies, both regional and international, providing alternatives for electricitybased equipment that showcased their products and services were more than those of past years. Solar lights, pumps, lithium and gel batteries, fence, and irrigation equipment compa nies had quality products to offer. The increase in these companies is largely due to rising costs of electricity and its erratic supply, the desire for farmers to be off the grid and have farms that are self-reliant.Newtech companies applying drone equipment for crop assessment and chemical spraying were present, such as FarmBuzz. The need to maximise on precise agro-chemical application to prevent losses, and the higher costs of agro inputs fuelled by increasing fuel prices have made farmers more cognizant of the efficient and effective application and use of agro inputs to reduce monetary losses and thus max imise profits.

Value-adding

The array of value-addition products was quite humbling, from roasted marula nuts from Marula Zimbabwe, a women-led initiative that trains local women to produce, process, exercise quality control, and market marula tree products, to dried mango chips from Associated Foods Zimbabwe. This diversification of agro products also comes as a strategy for local firms to generate foreign currency through exports and keep afloat considering the diminishing value of the Zimbabwean dollarMost(ZWL).foreign companies showcasing their products and services were in the value-addition business, for example a Malawian agro company exhibited tea made from hibiscus flowers. Some of the companies were offering dietary alternatives such as cassava for maize meal. Such companies were mostly from central Africa such as Uganda. Others were looking for investment partners for their agricultural pro jects, specifically centred on the use of

New technology

Zimbabwe

Meet Janet Phiri, an expatriate agri producer by Tapuwa Mashangwa

A trait to which she contributes her success is discipline. By saving from her salary and through hard work she has managed to fund her projects. She avoided getting a loan to start farming as she firmly believes in the impor tance of first garnering enough experi ence before approaching creditors. Bank funding is also out of the question with the central bank currently calling for a 200% interest rate per annum on Zimbabwean dollar loans. Expanding on her knowledge, she learns more about modern farming methods using digital sources, mostly YouTube videos, Google, and WhatsApp groups. Her market research is frequently executed online, and she would like to do short online courses in the near future. In Australia she volunteers on farms to gain more knowledge and experi ence. Sometimes her farm experiences abroad involve farm visits, stays and farmThetours.roleinformation technology has played in assisting the running of her farm cannot be overemphasised. She employs it for GPS systems, drones for land mapping, farm security, virtual farm inspections, farm management software, to locate livestock, and even to monitor the animals’ health. One way she ensures success of her projects is through involving experts on the ground. Some of the Zimbabwean agricultural bodies and institutions that have played a role in her farming jour ney are: ZIMTRADE, which has helped with information pertaining to regional and international market research; The Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU); the Goats and Beef Association, and the Poultry Association, helping especially with marketing. The unstable Zimbabwean dollar, COVID restricted movement during the Left: Janet tries to get as much expe rience and knowledge as possible by working on and visiting farms abroad.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 41

W hen people leave Zimbabwe, it does not mean they give up on the country. Finding a career in another country can empower them to contrib ute to growth back home. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the sub-Saharan agricultural landscape has seen steadily increasing numbers of expatriate agricultural par ticipants. Although their emigration may be instigated by a myriad of factors, chief among them being low wages, sub-standard living conditions, under employment, and unpredictable political situations, this has not disheartened them from contributing to their coun try’s agricultural production systems. Such is the farming tale of registered nurse and midwife, Janet Phiri, based in Perth, Western Australia. She pro duces a variety of agricultural produce on her farm in Marondera in Mashonaland East, about 72 km east of Harare. Regardless of having left Zimbabwe in 2003 for greener pastures, she never forgot her roots and aspirations towards farming. In her youth she gained farming experience tending to a piece of family-owned land, producing maize, chickens, groundnuts, and vegetables mainly for subsistence consumption. This experience, and the profit she made selling vegetables to raise her own money for travelling, convinced her to remain involved in Zimbabwe’sagribusiness.school curriculum includes agriculture, contributing to Janet’s knowledge. Her interest in investing in agricul ture back home was spurred by her desire to contribute to the growth of the economy, especially to alleviate poverty and hunger amongst women. Her hope is that a better tomorrow can be crafted through farming. In a way farming is an extension of her nursing career where she takes care of humans, to taking care and nurturing crops and animals. She managed to purchase her land via flexible payment terms through an online real estate agent based in Harare, after travelling to Zimbabwe to assess the authenticity of the agent and the land. Once that was finalised, she began self-funding the develop ment of the farm.

Janet gains experience by working on farms in Australia, such as this fruit farm.

school curriculum includes agricultural theory and practice.

Zimbabwe's

Janet Phiri’s staff include a full-time agronomist, two full-time work ers, and part-time workers during harvesting, land preparation, and transplanting.

42 ProAgri BNZ 35 AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION | A Hunter Industries Company Learn More. senninger.com • Cost-effective solution for 30′′ to 60′′ spacing • Produces a wide gentle aerated pattern • Expands our proven LDN platform • Minimizes wind-drift and evaporative losses • Twist and flip from LEPA to LESA • Several spray pattern and trajectory deflector options LDN® WIDE BUBBLERSPRAY THE LATEST LDN® INNOVATION www.hunter.info/senningerldnwsb The modularity of adding one of the Wide Spray Bubbler deflector assemblies to a grower’s existing LDN® UP3® bracket saves cost. Scan the code to read more.

Janet Phiri is a nurse and midwife in Australia and a farmer in Zimbabwe.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 43 SUCCESSFUL FARMERS LOOK BENEATH THE SURFACE Fert Seed & Grain Ltd Your #1 choice for fertilizer Well-fed plants are healthier and more productive. Give your crops a boost, with our wide range of fertilizers. +260 977 610 498 | +260 973 848 229 | +260 973 782 627 marketing@fsgzambia.co.zm | sale@fsgzambia.co.zm + 263 78 271 5320 | Zimbabwe@meridian.africa 74A Kew Drive, Highlands, Harare, Zimbabwe pandemic, low numbers of qualified agricultural staff, the lack of infrastruc ture, and poor market information, are some of the challenges she has encountered at her farm. She put in consistent effort to re solve these through employing quali fied personnel, subscribing to farming associations, remunerating staff on time, providing decent accommodation, and ensuring that everyone (including family) sign work contracts. She re mains optimistic, knows her team well, and maintains effective and honest communication for better results. Her strategies have gained her a better professional network, a gist of agricultural productivity, and access to agricultural technology. She employs more women than men, tapping into their maternal instincts to take care of everything on the farm. Her staff is comprised of a full time resident agronomist, two full time workers and part time workers dur ing harvesting, land preparation and transplanting, as her farm is not fully mechanised. The farm also has per manent construction staff and employs casual workers to assist them to make bricks on-site. In the beginning she struggled with the marketing of her products because her timing was not right, and a poor road network made transport diffi cult. Now she utilises the established markets provided by contract farming companies such as Irvines chickens and others involved in potato produc tion and seed growing. They also assist with the transport of goods. Plans for the farm include increased mechanisation, agribusiness growth, continuing with expert input, improv ing coordination with her farm team to learn more and keep up with market trends, employing more women, and hopefully constructing her own clinic. All this she believes will create gen erational wealth, not only for her, but also for her staff, as well as increased investment towards infrastructure and transport so that pregnant women get access to deliver in a safe environment. This will reduce perinatal and maternal mortality rates in the country.

At the helm of the tobacco industry

T he pioneers of commercial tobacco production, The British South Africa Company, could not have fathomed that what seemingly began as a pro duction option to growing food crops and raising livestock in the Highveld would become the stepping stone in the emergence of what is now one of Zimbabwe’s most lucrative agricultural products. The small beginnings now boast a sector dominated by a number of industry players in the production and processing of tobacco, and its as sociatedProminentsubindustries.inthisindustry

is Caven dish Tobacco Zimbabwe, a member of the Cavendish Lloyd Group, an inter national company servicing the whole tobacco supply chain through a variety of products and services. At Cavendish Tobacco Zimbabwe, the financial opera tions are overseen by the talented Miss Rebecca Manford, the company’s Chief Finance Officer. She holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science (BCompt) from the Univer sity of South Africa (UNISA), gained her professional chartered accountant qualification through the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and continued to obtain a Master of Business Administration degree with the University of Suffolk. These qualifications help her to man age her current portfolio encompassing treasury and finance, business strategy andSheoperations.neverimagined

Cavendish Tobacco Zimbabwe's CFO, Rebecca Manford, oversees financial operations.

Left: Zimbabwean tobacco is still competitive and desired by most markets, a status that can only be maintained by tobacco producers ensuring growers have everything they need to produce a top-quality crop. (Image source: unsplash.com by Afif Kusuma) by Tapuwa Mashangwa

44 ProAgri BNZ 35 Zimbabwe

working in the agricultural sector, as she spent a good amount of time in auditing and later in finance retail, wholesale, and manu facturing. Agriculture and specifically tobacco was a whole different ball game through which her determination to learn and achieve has brought her reputable success. Her knowledge regarding tobacco production system was gained through on the job training. The agricultural sector is a very significant and important industry for the Zimbabwean economy, and her role at Cavendish allows her as a citizen to contribute her part to the country. She is inspired by the need to live out her purpose which keeps her afloat in mo ments of Workingdespair.inamale dominated sector has taught her to ‘man-up!’ as men are very solution oriented. She has thus learnt that in any crisis one must set aside one’s emotions and focus on how the crisis can be managed and resolved, and despite the existence of a notable atmosphere of sexism in the tobacco sector as in any other industry, she has managed to play her role opti mally by being bold, speaking out and initiating change where she can. The best benefit from IT, in her experience, is that it continues to advance to accessing and extraction of information, and reporting is now quicker. The availability of advanced internal Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems mean that a decisionmaker can always make informed deci sions in a shorter turnaround time. She believes that Zimbabwe’s IT in frastructure could be improved through digitalising a lot of the processes and approvals that currently have to be obtained physically from various gov ernment departments and associated industry agents. This would make business operations more efficient.

10 OJA FARMS PROPOSAL iii. Crunch bites are our coated Soya nut range. Yoghurt coated Soya nuts with Cranberries Chocolate coated Soya nuts (No added sugar) Caramel & Cinnamon coated soya nuts with lightly roasted and salted Pumpkin and Sunflower seeds

The OJA Farm full fat, pre-cleaned, Dry Roasted Beans are heat treated to change the anti-trypsin and the lipoxygenase enzymes in the beans to produce an excellent nutty tasting product with no beany or grassy aftertaste. roasted beans

The Zimbabwean agricultural sector is very important, and Rebecca’s role at Cavendish allows her to contribute to the country. (Image source: worldat las.com)

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 45 Container size Contains Servings 5 Liter Bucket 2.5 kg - Oja Dry roasted beans + stock 5 kg - Oja Dry roasted beans + stock 12.5 kg - Oja Dry roasted beans + stock (Beef, chicken or vegetable stock) 50 servings 10 Liter Bucket 100 servings 25 Liter Bucket 250 servings 25 kg Bag 500 servings

Dry

Roasted beans are the cheapest protein source in the world. The amino acid composition is favourable and similar to any animal or plant protein source.

Also, availability of up-to-date platforms related to the tobacco industry would make information easier to obtain as sadly most of this is done manually. Zimbabwean tobacco is still very desired by most markets, a status that can only be upheld though the collaboration of tobacco producers to ensure that growers are equipped with everything they need to produce a top quality crop. What Cavendish CFO would like to see, are possible tax breaks and sus pension of certain associated trading fees. This type of support would ensure that in the aftermath of Covid-19, tobacco merchants and growers can bounceCovid-19back.resulted in spikes in freight charges which consequently increased the cost to produce and export tobac co, meaning margins had to be revised. Since the beginning of Covid-19 to now, most executives have realised that there must always be forward planning and measures to counteract and react towards a pandemic or natural disaster. As advice to those interested in occupying a position of her stature she recommends: “The bare minimum requirement to get anywhere in life is still simply to believe in yourself. There are no shortcuts to getting anywhere in life and in commerce. You have to put in the work. You have to work hard, remain focused and have the ability to pick yourself up after each setback or Shedisappointment.”furtherreiterates that the in ternal work one needs to do is making sure one has all the education and skill required to continue advancing oneself in every way, because to become an executive, one needs to be a true lead er and must make value-adding con tributions to the organisation served. Lastly, when entering a new industry, it is paramount to learn and read widely to always be aware and informed. Miss Manford is pleased to witness more small-scale farmers at the tobac co auction floors. She believes wealth is indeed from the soil and urges the younger generation to also be ready to take the baton and continue with farm ing as their forefathers did in the past.

GET IN TOUCH Riëtte Strydom riette@ojafarms.co.za +27 83 631 2058 For recipes, visit: http://www.ojafarms.co.za

“We all have a reason and purpose on this earth and we must work every day to stay on assignment,” she says, and her assignment is beyond agri culture as she is not only a respected Zimbabwean Chartered Accountant, she is also a gospel musician, fitness influencer, and philanthropist.

• Gluten Free • Cholesterol Free • High in Protein Soak it in boiling water for 20 minutes and then cook it in the stock that we provide for 20-30 minutes.

46 ProAgri BNZ 35 Zimbabwe Optimise your soya processing QUADRO ALLOYS Design and manufacture of full fat soya production solutions, according to your operational requirements and specification, including full electrical panels. Full on-site support & ongoing maintenance, and the manufacture and supply of spares and accessories. Cost effective solutions for small to large scale farmers and feed production plants. For more information: Tel: +27 11363-3166 Cell: +27 826648682 info@quadroalloys.co.za or visit our website: www.quadroalloys.co.za Your SENTER 360 is online...are you? For best service contact us at +27 (0)18 469 1331 or +27 (0)82 564 5955 or www.senter360.co.za YOU ALREADY TRUST US FOR... • Having the strongest structure in the industry • Best reliability • The best sprinkler packages Our controlstandardsystemhas communicationcomprehensivecell/internetabilities Nosubscriptionmonthly/yearlycosts conditions(ZERO!)Termsandapply

A lady’s touch in urban farming by Tapuwa Mashangwa

F or most people, suburban life represents an escape from the hustle and bustle of high-rise buildings, traffic jams, parking fees and high food costs in central business districts and town centres. Suburban life is associated with quiet mornings and sometimes the sound of birds merrily chirping the day away whilst one is in the comfort of his/her home. But suburbia can be much more than that as proven by ur ban farmer Patience Moyo of Bellevue suburb in Bulawayo. She has taken advantage of urban offerings to be agriculturally productive. The need for urban agriculture has grown over the last thirty years, with economic chaos bringing real hardships to urban residents across Zimbabwe. Covid-19 accelerated this chaos as movement restrictions and the closing of businesses made stable employment even less likely. For some residents, urban food production systems represent an additional source of income whilst for others it has become their sole source of livelihood. The three types of urban farming are backyard farming, open space farming and formal plots. Many urban residents with spacious yards practice backyard farming, which is also true for Patience. With over 38 years work experience as a teacher, she began her farming journey to generate extra income, pro duce her own food, cut expenses, opti mise functionality of her land and also for relaxation purposes as a hobby. Funding for her agricultural projects has been through bank loans, savings from her salary and through reinvest ment of returns from the sales of her produce. Financial sustainability of her horticultural agribusiness comes through having a fixed plan in place to ensure continuity of her projects. Most of her farming knowledge and wisdom she has attained through attending a variety of short courses and watching television programmes such as Agribusiness and Talking Farm ing shown on national television, spe cifically through the Zimbabwe Broad casting Corporation (ZBC). She also gains more from studying agricultural related magazines and books. Information technology has aided the growth of her agribusiness as she utilises various platforms to sell her produce, such as the internet, WhatsApp groups and by using telecommuni cationAgriculturalservices.bodies and institutions in Zimbabwe have supported her journey by assisting with soil testing and guid ing her through their interpretations to grow produce suited for her soil and to make the right choices when it comes to fertiliser application. She says the main challenges she has faced in running her business are frost and the constant change in currency. As the effects of climate change are becoming more pro nounced, farmers are experiencing lower than usual temperatures in win ter, and temperature sensitive crops, such as tomatoes, suffer. The changes in the economic ambi ence have resulted in producers having to constantly change their prices and, at times, even alter their currency of trade to remain afloat. Patience prefers payments in US dollar. She has found the market to be good and stable as she sells most of her produce to co-workers, neighbourhood residents, middlemen and a Choppies supermarket that caters to the house hold needs of four neighbourhoods close to Bellevue. It is conveniently located as it is a ten-minute drive from her home. She supplies her customers as per demand, thus reducing unnecessary harvesting and post-harvest losses. It is her hope to one day venture into garlic production for the export market. Garlic production has seen an increase in participation from many farmers over the last decade due to the demand from niche markets and added value through exporting. She acknowledges that the profitabil ity of agriculture in Zimbabwe is owed in part to its agriculturally friendly soils and weather. One can start small with out having to look for large amounts of money. Production systems are easy to set up with some land, water, capital, andSheknowledge.reiterated that agriculture pro motes self-reliance, thus reduces the need for food aid. It also helps prevent hunger and malnutrition while generat ingUrbanincome.agriculture has been practiced for a long time in Bulawayo and other Zimbabwean cities, but in an informal manner due to perceived prohibitive urban policies and legislations. The steadily increasing popularity of urban farming prompted the establish ment of a city council interdepartmen tal committee in Bulawayo to examine the possibility of formalising urban ag riculture in the city. The committee will review the existing urban agriculture policy and formulate proposals and policy guidelines for its development. This development will see other women like Patience Moyo operate on larger and more competitive scales.

ProAgri Botswana / Namibia / Zimbabwe 35 47

48 ProAgri BNZ 35diane@proagri.co.za www.agri4all.com For the best value in the industry, contact: Diane Grobler +27(0) 82 555 6866 diane@proagri.co.za www.agri4all.com FORTHEPLANTINGSEEDSSUCCESS We are expandingintoAfrica. Your business is not limited by borders, and neither is our coverage. With us, your message reaches thousands of farmers throughout South Africa , Zambia , Botswana , Namibia , Zimbabwe , Malawi , Tanzania , Mozambique , Angola , Kenya , Morocco , Cameroon , Senegal , Uganda , Ghana , Congo , Guinea , Liberia , Algeria , Tunisia , Libya , Egypt , Nigeria , Sudan , Ethiopia , Lesotho and Rwanda . For the best value in the industry, contact: Diane Grobler +27(0) 82 555 6866 diane@proagri.co.za www.agri4all.com

10 OJA FARMS PROPOSAL iii. Crunch bites are our coated Soya nut range. Chocolate coated Soya nuts (No added sugar) Caramel & Cinnamon coated soya nuts with lightly roasted and salted Pumpkin and Sunflower seeds Soak it in boiling water for 20 minutes and then cook it in the stock that we provide for 20-30 minutes. Dry Roasted Soy Beans are an excellent source of protein, fibre and minerals. Dry roasted beans Looking for a cheap alternative protein source? Container size Contains Servings 5 Liter Bucket 2.5 kg - Oja Dry roasted beans + stock 5 kg - Oja Dry roasted beans + stock 12.5 kg - Oja Dry roasted beans + stock (Beef, chicken or vegetable stock) 50 servings 10 Liter Bucket 100 servings 25 Liter Bucket 250 servings 25 kg Bag 500 servings The OJA Farm full fat, pre-cleaned, Dry Roasted Beans are heat treated to change the anti-trypsin and the lipoxygenase enzymes in the beans to produce an excellent nutty tasting product with no beany or grassy aftertaste. GET IN TOUCH Riëtte riette@ojafarms.co.zaStrydom +27 83 631 2058 For recipes, visit: http://www.ojafarms.co.za • Gluten Free • Cholesterol Free • High in Protein Roasted beans are the cheapest protein source in the world. The amino acid composition is favourable and similar to any animal or plant protein source.

50 ProAgri BNZ 35 TO ALL THE WOMEN WHO CULTIVATE A BETTER FUTURE: www.reinke.com patrickellis@reinke.com Patrick Ellis 031 350 4525 Happy Women’s Month