Zimbabwe: Farmers urged to speed up planting of summer crops

Source: Farmers urged to speed up planting of summer crops | The Herald Precious Manomano Herald Reporter More than 74 000 hectares have so far been put under summer crops, with experts advising farmers to speed up planting to ensure a bumper harvest in all crops. Farmers have also been advised to spread their cropping to include maize, cotton, traditional grains and tobacco plus late season crops such as cowpeas, sugar beans and sunflower. In its weekly update, the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services, Agritex, indicated that farmers have planted 13 907ha of maize, 270ha of sorghum, 147ha of pearl millet, 29 805ha of tobacco and 29 787ha of cotton. In its latest forecast, Meteorological Services Department head of forecasting Mr James Ngoma assured farmers that it will be sunny and hot the rest of this week in most parts of the country. He advised farmers to keep on planting and consult experts to guide them on the types of crops to plant. Mr Ngoma also advised ...