Agriculture Magazine

Agribusiness
Free June 2022

.co.zw
Magazine
CABBAGES & LEAFY GREENS

- A POST HARVEST HANDLING GUIDE
● GOOD MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES FOR PIG
● KEEPING CABBAGE
WINTER BOLTING
● HOW SUPPLY AND DEMAND
AFFECT FARMER’S
PRODUCERS UNDER CONTROL PROFITABILITY
● SWEET POTATO
LEAVES - SERVED AS A
● INTEGRATED FISH-PIG ● CABBAGE
FARMING PRODUCTION GUIDE
VEGETABLE
In this Issue
04 23 30
04 Crops 23 Agribusiness
Cabbages and Leafy Greens - A Post How Supply and Demand Affect Farm-
Harvesting Handling Guide er’s Profitability
09 Crops 24 Agribusiness
Cabbage Production Guide Addressing unfair trade is a key step in
14 Crops
transforming African food systems
Keeping Cabbage Winter Bolting Under

Control
29 Livestock
Integrated fish-pig farming
17 Crops 32 Livestock
Sweet potato leaves - served as a vege- Good Management Practices for Pig
table Producers
19 Crops 38 The Agri Expert Answers

Cabbage Production Requirements for 1 Q & A.
Hectare
39 Games
20 Crops Word Search & Spot the Differ-
Crop Planting Calendar ence
21 Agribusiness
Haven Construction at Work
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June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

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4 Crops
Cabbages and Leafy Greens - A

Post Harvesting Handling Guide
C
More Information
areful attention to An experienced pick-
proper post-harvest www.agribusiness.co.zw er should be able to
handling can ensure determine the level of
buyer satisfaction and beyond maturity can maturity quickly and
marketing success. result in split heads and consistently by feel and
increased incidence of by the size of the head.
Harvesting field disease. Unhar- The head is harvested
vested cabbage may de- by bending it to one
In Zimbabwe, velop significant infes- side and cutting it with a
fresh-market cabbage tations of alternaria leaf knife. Harvesting knives
is harvested by hand spot and downy mildew, should be sharpened
though in other coun- particularly during wet frequently to reduce
tries machine harvesting weather. These diseases effort and lessen picker
has been attempted. can be spread through fatigue. The head
normal harvesting and should not be removed
A mature head of cab- handling. Harvesting im- by snapping or twisting
bage generally weighs mature heads, however, it since this practice
from 1 kg, depending on reduces yield, and the damages the head and
variety. Cabbage should heads are too soft to results in inconsistent
be harvested promptly resist handling damage. stalk length and trim.
when the heads are firm Immature heads also Broken stalks are also
and mature. Delaying have a shorter shelf life
harvest even a few days than mature heads. ....continued on page 6

Ts and Cs Apply
Brand Of The Year
A subsidiary of
6 Crops
....continued from page 4 complex machines The conveyer can be a

conveniently integrate homemade conversion
more susceptible to and automate most of a grain conveyer or
decay. of the harvesting and a factory-built model
packing functions into a especially designed for
The stalk should be cut single unit. An effective cabbage harvesting.
flat and as close to the but simple harvesting When equipped with a
head as possible, yet aid employs a simple canopy and high-flota-
long enough to retain belt conveyor attached tion tires, a harvesting
two to four wrapper to a tractor that slowly aid can be operated
leaves. Extra leaves act passes through the field during rainy weather.
as cushions during han- alongside the pickers.
dling and may be de- Workers place harvest-
sired in certain markets. ed heads on the con- Collards and Other
Yellowed, damaged, or Greens
veyer belt, which carries
diseased wrapper leaves the heads to a bulk
should be removed, bin, wagon, or even a Collards can be har-
however. Heads with mobile packing station. vested as leaf-collards,
insect damage and
other defects should be
discarded. It is essential
that heads not harvest-
ed be left undamaged
because fields may be
harvested as many as
three times for maxi-
mum yield. Harvested
cabbage can be placed
in bags, boxes, wagons,
or pallet bins, depend-
ing on the harvesting
method employed.
Harvesting aids can

significantly reduce
harvest labour costs,
improve harvest effi-
ciency and cabbage
quality, and speed the
harvest operation dra-
matically. Aids may be
as simple as a modified
farm trailer for trans-
porting cabbage and
boxes or as sophisticat-
ed as a self-propelled
unit costing thousands
of dollars. The more

7 Crops
in which case only

leaves of the prop-
er size and maturity
are harvested, or as
head-collards, in which
case the entire plant
is taken. Leaf-collards
can be packed loose or
gathered into bunches
of 8 to 12 leaves and
secured with a rubber
band. Head-collards
are seldom bunched.
Head-collards are
usually harvested when
plants have 16 to 20
mature leaves. Leaves
that show cold injury,
yellowing, mechanical
injury, or insect damage as soon as possible. room controlled to 0°C
should be discarded. Cabbage and leafy and 95 percent relative
It is essential that all greens are particularly humidity is ideal. In this
leaves be of high quality susceptible to wilting environment, the centre
and uniform in colour. and other damage of a medium-sized cab-
from high tempera- bage should take about
Turnip greens, mus- tures. When there is a 18 hours to cool from
tard greens, and kale delay of more than an 26 to 0°C. It is usually
may also be harvested hour or two between not necessary to cool
as single leaves or as harvest and packing, a cabbage by more rapid
whole plants. Fields are water drench or spray means, although some
usually harvested sever- arrangement can help packers use forced-air
al times, but care must prevent dehydration cooling fans to greatly
be exercised to prevent and overheating. decrease cooling time.
damage to the plants. Greens
At the packing shed, Cabbage
the greens are removed Greens that have been
from the bulk contain- Proper packing and harvested during rainy
ers onto a grading belt cooling are essential weather are often
for cleaning, sorting, to maintaining the contaminated with
and packing. freshness of cabbage. soil. They are normally
Freshness can be tested washed in fresh water
by rubbing two heads or in water chlorinated
Post-harvest Handling
together; if they are at 75 ppm before they
Harvested produce fresh, they will make a are graded and packed.
should always be squeaking sound. Cab- Mustard greens, turnip
removed from direct bage should be cooled greens, and kale are
sunlight and transport- immediately after banded into bunch-
ed to the packing shed packing. A refrigerated es. Leaf-collards can

8 Crops
be treated similarly. fruits and vegetables Adapted from NC State Exten-

Head-collards are usu- that are known to pro- sion
ally packed with 8 to duce ethylene, such as
16 bunches per con- apples, pears, peaches,
tainer. Leaves that have or tomatoes.
yellowed, show signs of Marketing
disease, or have other To market a crop suc-
obvious defects should cessfully, producers
be discarded. must always be aware
of the supply and de-
Rapid cooling either mand, which vary with
by hydrocooling alone season and locality.
or in combination with To gain and retain a
package icing is essen- market for their crops,
tial to maintaining the cabbage and greens
quality of leafy greens. producers need to
Greens may be held reduce cost per unit and
in refrigerated storage offer buyers improved
under ideal conditions quality by using proper
for as long as two post-harvest practices,
weeks. Cabbage and all such as cooling and
types of leafy greens strict quality control. A
freeze at about -1°C and prudent grower always
are sensitive to eth- makes marketing and
ylene gas. These items post-harvest handling
should not be stored or arrangements before
shipped in proximity to planting.

9 Crops
Cabbage Production Guide

Site Selection More Information in a solution of Actara to
give the plants 6 weeks
Soils can be medium to www.agribusiness.co.zw
protection from aphids
heavy with good water and white fly. Also apply
holding capacity. Sandy but must be well broken a foliar spray of Bion to
soils tend to require down and composted the seedlings to activate
more frequent irrigation or root burn will occur. the plants’ own defense
cycles and require high- Manure 10 to 20 tons mechanism against bac-
er levels of fertilization. per hectare and chicken terial and virus attack.
PH levels should be litter 2 to 5 tons per
between 5.5 and 6, so Spacing
hectare.
soil samples need to be Planting can be done on
taken prior to planting. Ploughing should be beds during the rainy
Cabbages respond very done to a depth of 30 – season which helps with
well to compost en- 35cm making sure the drainage and on the flat
riched soils. Levels of 20 old plough pan is broken during the winter pe-
to 30 tons per hectare up. Ripping then discing riod. If beds are made,
of well-prepared com- is also a way to prepare they should be 1.5m
post will benefit and re- a tilth for planting. Final center to center with
duce levels of fertilizer. tilth must not be too 2 rows on the top of
cloddy or too fine. the bed between 50 to
Manure and chicken
litter can also be used It is recommended that ....continued on page 11
you dip your seedlings

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11 Crops
....continued from page 9

60cm apart and planting
stations 30 to 35cm in
row.
Planting on the flat rows

can be 50 to 60cm apart
and planting stations 35
to 40cm in row. Plant
populations should
be between 33,000 –
40,000 depending on
market requirements.
Higher plant popula-
tions tend to give small-
er head sizes.
Fertilizers
A balanced basal Com-
pound type fertilizer of
either “A”, “B” or “C”
should be applied prior 2 and 8 after transplant- or speedlings as they
to planting. This can ing. During the rainy are also known, at
be done using a Vicon season if the crop is transplanting make sure
spreader if growing on planted on lighter soils good plug to soil contact
the flat or a ridger type an extra top dressing is made so the root sys-
applicator if planted on might be needed after tem can leave the plug
beds. heavy leaching rains. and quickly enter the
Seedlings fertilizer enriched soil.
Cupping with fertilizer Plant the speedlings as
cups by hand into the Planting with seedlings soon as possible after
planting hole can also is the most practical pulling them from the
be done but the fertil- method as seedlings trays to avoid the tiny
izer must be well mixed which are strong and hair roots drying out.
in the hole to prevent healthy at transplanting Plant into pre irrigated
root burn. Based on soil is the base for a uni- soils in which the soil
analysis results and soil form crop helping with has been made up to
types, rates of fertilizer reduced costs at har- field capacity.
can be applied ranging vest. Plant around 10%
from 600kg – 1,000kg more plugs per hectare After transplanting, a
per hectare. of your selected plant light settling-in irrigation
population, this should is required to remove
Cabbages will require ensure good seedling air pockets between the
around 400kg a hectare selection. plug and the soil.
of AN split into 3 appli- It is recommended that
cations between weeks When using seedlings you dip your seedlings

12 Crops
in a solution of Actara to
give the plants 6 weeks
protection from aphids
and white fly.
Also apply a foliar spray

of Bion to the seedlings
to activate the plants
own defense mechanism
against bacterial and
virus attack.
Varieties
Selections of a variety
depends on where it is
to be marketed. Cabbage
varieties vary in size Agronomist for advice During summer produc-
from 2.2kg up to 7kg per of which variety to plant tion, being able to apply
head. Varieties must be and at which time of irrigation during long
selected if to be grown the year and for market dry spells will ensure a
in summer or winter. advice. good even viable crop.
Summer varieties must Approximately 600mm
be “Black Rot Tolerant”; – 750mm of irrigation
this disease comes in Harvesting
should be allowed to
during hot humid weath- Cabbages are ready for produce a good crop.
er and can decimate a harvest when the head is So, planning water usage
crop if not resistant to firm to the touch when from, dams, rivers, and
“Black Rot”. pressed and the veins on boreholes can be worked
the outside leaves just out to match hectares to
Varieties need to have begin to crack. Ideally be planted. As the plant
a waxy layer to deter about 60% - 70% of the increases in size and
“Diamond Back Moth” heads should be cut at leaf area, the amount
from damaging the first harvest, ensuring of water required also
crop. Seed Co supplies a maximum yield poten- increases. Irrigation
good range of varieties tial. should be planned on a
that can be planted in weekly basis and the soil
summer during the rains, Depending on variety se- depletion area checked
with amazing black rot lection and time of year, regularly to plan for the
and Fusarium yellow cabbages mature from next irrigation cycle.
tolerance like the hybrids about 65 – 130 days
Fabiola F1, Delight and after transplanting. The use of an “Evapo-
Marcanta. ration Pan” should help
Irrigation
with this. On medium to
A good “self-wrapping” During the dry winter heavy clay soils irrigation
type of cabbage is neces- months irrigation is es- should be given when
sary to retain quality and sential. Overhead sprin- approximately 25% of
freshness. Color of the kler irrigation is the most available water has been
head is important for the common, followed by used.
market and the shape. flood and more recently
Contact a Seed Co “drip” irrigation. #agribusinesstalk

13 Crops

14 Crops
Keeping Cabbage Winter

Bolting Under Control
More Information greater transplant shock.
B olting in vegetable
crops refers to the plant
flowering and producing
www.agribusiness.co.zw
Size of Seedlings at
Transplant:
seed prematurely. In a exposed to such cold for a
lengthy period of time. Oversized, vigorous
cabbage crop this would seedlings would be more
result in the produce being inclined to bolt than small-
unmarketable and there- The length of cold required
to induce bolting is de- er seedlings, for the same
fore reduced income. Bolt- reasons as above.
ing in cabbage is generally pendent on a number of
triggered by cold weather factors which are;
Size of Plant at Induction
and can be initiated fairly Temperature:
early in the plant’s devel- Fertility of Seed Beds:
opment, with the bolting Seed beds and seedling There is a minimum plant
itself occurring when the trays that are over fertil- size required for bolting
plant is more mature. ized will cause the plant to induction to occur. Gen-
have premature seed shoot erally this size would be
development. This in turn when the leaf width of
Factors Inducing Bolting: the seedling is about 10
causes the plant to rapidly
The seedling has to have grow and become large cm. This size would vary
a leaf width of about 10 enough for bolting induc- from variety to variety and
cm for bolting induction to tion to occur. would also be determined
occur. Bolting can then be by the width of the grow-
induced by temperatures Secondly, excess fertilizer, ing point of the plant.
ranging from 5 °C to 15 °C, especially Nitrogen, favours A variety with narrow
but particularly below 7 leaf development over root
°C, provided seedlings are development which causes ....continued on page 16

16 Crops
....continued from page 14 than those that are early cold areas are more
maturing. The reason prone to bolting that
leaves and thick stem for this may be that the those that come from
could be induced at a growing point of the warm areas and trans-
narrower leaf width. plant, which is sensitive planted into the same
to cold, is quickly cov- field.
Growth Checks: ered in early varieties.
Once the induction has These plants will also #agribusinesstalk
taken place, the re- head before the re-
sponse time to bolting is sponse time has taken
influenced by a number effect.
of factors. If there is a
growth check, then the Later maturing varieties
response time is short- are subjected to cold
ened and the plant can conditions for longer pe-
begin bolting quickly. riods of time which may
These growth checks cause increased stress
can be caused by heat and bolting induction.
waves, drought, water
logging, disease after Heat Susceptibility of
induction size has been the Plants:
reached, fertilizer and Heat resistant plants are
phyto-toxic sprays. more prone to bolting
than heat susceptible
Diurnal Swings: varieties. To breed for
Large diurnal swings are heat resistance, one au-
included to cause the tomatically predisposes
plants to bolt very fast the variety to get early
once induction has oc- induction to bolting.
curred. Induction would To select a safe variety
depend on the lower for the whole year is dif-
temperature of the diur- ficult therefore heat re-
nal swing. sistant and cold resistant
varieties should be kept
Cold Fronts and Heat for their specific slot.
Waves: Heat resistant varieties
are also more inclined
Cold fronts produce to be later maturing
low temperatures that varieties.
may induce bolting with
heat waves shortening Cold Grown Seedlings:
the response period. If
there is succession of It has been stated
such weather bolting will before that the plant is
rapidly occur. responsive to induction
to bolt when the leaf
Maturity of the Variety blade becomes 10 cm in
Varieties that are later width.
maturing can be more
susceptible to bolting However, seedlings
which are sown in very

17 Crops
Sweet potato leaves - served as

a vegetable
The Sweet potato leaves, More Information protecting human health
which grow abundantly in against the diseases
poor soil, wet soil and rich www.agribusiness.co.zw mentioned above. Thus,
soil, can be continuously the vegetable sweet po-
cropped until the root tato has the potential to
vegetables are harvested. adding greatly to the become a new alternative
Some varieties of plants available food supply and crop. But to the process-
have naturally occurring to the available supply ing segment, they offer
phytochemicals that offer of bioactive compounds more promise.
protection against cer- for human health. Sweet The high level of phyto ¬
tain dangerous diseases. potato leaves are a physi- nutrients in sweet potato
Sweet potato genotypes ologically functional food leaves provides promise of
with tops with high that offers protection a new food additive prod-
polyphenolic content and from diseases linked to uct for use as a functional
are used as a vegetable, oxidation such as cancer, food enhancer. Sweet po-
food ingredient and as a allergies, ageing, HIV and tato tops, able to survive
nutritional supplement cardiovascular problems. adverse conditions, could
promote good health. Sweet potato leaves used serve as an additional
Sweet potato leaves con- as a vegetable, a tea, in leafy green vegetable.
tain high concentrations noodles, in breads, in Acceptable sweet potato
of polyphenolics when confectioneries and as a tops should be tender, gla-
compared with the major nutritional supplement brous and purplish. Those
commercial vegetables can be a beneficial food eating sweet potato tops
such as spinach, brocco- source. prefer the top 10 cm of
li, cabbage and lettuce. Sweet potato cultivars can tips including both stem
Thus, sweet potatoes be developed for multiple and leaves. These are the
offer the possibility of uses, especially for special parts generally eaten in
nutritional purposes of many countries.

18 Crops
This preference for 10 red onion) sliced thinly remaining oil in a wok-
cm tops is logical, since pan. Stir-fry grinded
• 1 tomato thinly cut
a large proportion of the paste, garlic and shal-
leaves in the top 10 cm • 1/4 tsp Maggie sea- lots for a few seconds
soning sauce (or fish until fragrant.
are new and tender.
sauce) optional
Tips with the largest • Add sweet potato leaf
number of leaves with • Tiny pinch of salt to stems and stir fry brisk-
petioles less than 1 cm taste ly on high heat until
long are considered de- they start to soften.
• 3 tbsp water add more
sirable because they are as needed • Add the leaves and
tender and good for the • 1 tbsp Red wine
tomatoes.
table. Researchers and • Stir fry until the leaves
extension workers could are reduced in volume.
help make this vegeta- Directions: Then add curry paste,
ble’s tops more appeal- chillies, Maggie sea-
ing and acceptable. • Using kitchen scissors, soning sauce (or fish
Therefore, with its snip & separate the sauce), salt and water.
tuberous roots, stems sweet potato leaves
from the stems. • Drizzle Red wine along
and leaves that can be the sides of the wok
consumed totally, sweet • Snip the stems to uni- walls during the last 10
potato is a crop that form 2-3 cm length. seconds of cooking.
may solve food, energy, • Optional: Pull & dis- • Stir to coat well before
resource and environ- card the “strings” of serving.
mental problems in the the stems to improve
21st century.” the texture. #agribusinesstalk
• Wash and dry the
Ingredients: veggies.
• Soak dried shrimps in
• USE Top fresh tips a small dish with hot
of the sweet potato water until softened,
leaves. about 20 minutes.
Reserve and set aside
• 300g) sweet potato
the dried shrimps
leaf )
• Prepare grinded spices.
• 13g curry powder/
Add garlic and shallots
paste
to an electric food
• 50ml hot water grinder or blender.
• 1 tbsp cooking oil • Add 1 tbsp oil and
divided pulse for a few sec-
onds.
• 1 finger-length red chil-
li sliced to thin sections • Alternatively, pound
the ingredients in a
• 4 cloves garlic finely
mortar & pestle or
chopped
finely chop them.
• 5 shallots (or 1/4 small
• Stir-fry the dish. Heat

19 Crops
Cabbage Production
Requirements for 1 Hectare

OUR SERVICES
20 Crops Standard soil test for pH, Ca, Mg, Na,
K, NO3, P, TSS
ISO/IEC 17025:2005 ACCREDITED Hortculture test for pH, Ca, Mg, Na, K,
NO3, P, TSS, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe
Irrigation and stock water analysis for
Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, Cu, Fe, pH,E coli,
Coliform and etc
Mechanical test to check soil structure
Plant tissue analysis for N, P, K, Ca, Cu,
Zn etc
Stockfeeds
Fertilizer, compost and manure analysis
Microbiological Evaluation of horticulture
produce for export certification
Food safety and hygiene swabs
monitoring
Soil sampling, surveys and mapping
123 BORGWARD ROAD MSASA
HARARE ZIMBABWE
+263 242 487545
AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE [email protected]
Soil Testing for higher quality yields www.zimlabs.co.zw

Soil testing is key for developing the most effective nutrition program that will
result in high yields. We carry out a full chemical test and assist with fertilizer +263 787 176 915
recommendations. Zimlabs is your partner in increasing your farm productivity
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“When accuracy matters”
Crop planting calendar

21 Agribusiness
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Pigs with experience in
Location: Chiredzi, Agriculture Con-
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We have experts

22 Agribusiness
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havenconstruction.
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an act but a habit

23 Agribusiness
How Supply and Demand Affect

Farmer’s Profitability
In a highly competitive market,
every farmer is chasing his own
opportunity for success. Not only
More Information
orange prices are too high, most
consumers will choose another
fruit at a more affordable price.
are farmers striving to produce As a response to declining sales,
high yield and deliver quality farmers will have to lower the
What does this mean for a
crops to the market but also, sell prices until the demand for
farmer? For example, in a case
their goods and finally, achieve oranges increases again. When
where a farmer sets a low price,
higher profit. Farmers are the demand for oranges is
the demand for his product or
therefore faced with a challenge balanced with the supply, the
service will increase. Oppose
to survive on the market. market is at its equilibrium.
to that, if a farmer sets a price
which is too high, the demand
The Relation Between In a market that is not controlled,
will decrease.
Supply and Demand supply and demand dictate the
market price of goods or services,
2. The market price will
Supply is a term that describes as well as the flow of sales. By
determine the supply and
the number of goods or services doing so, this basic economic
demand of products or services
that all producers are ready to law directly affects farmer’s
offer on the market at a given profitability, and therefore the
If the market price is high, the
period and price. On the other success of his business.
interest of producers for a certain
hand, demand refers to the product or service will increase.
number of goods or services that If we look at the big picture,
In other words, the supply will
customers are ready to buy at supply and demand regulate the
increase. Also, if the market price
a given period and for a certain entire market competition. For
is low, the interest of consumers
price. this reason, every farmer driven
increases, which means that
by a profit should keep up with
demand increases.
Regarding the relation between the current situation on the
supply and demand, a farmer market and turn the information
Let’s Find a Balance Between
should know two important provided by a supply and
Supply and Demand
things: demand into profit.
Supply and demand, as well
1. The relation between supply -NDSU
as market prices, will rise
and demand will determine the and fall until they achieve a
market price of goods or services balance, which is called market
equilibrium. For example, if

24 Agribusiness
Addressing unfair trade is a key step

in transforming African food systems
by Charles Dhewa
U nfair trading practices

have continued to
characterize African agri-
More Information
From a recent survey
conducted by eMKambo
culture and food systems in Uganda and Zimba-
for decades. bwe mass food markets,
Borrowing best practices most farmers and traders
Determining and setting from developed coun- indicated that setting a
prices for agricultural tries where the context is uniform price for agricul-
commodities remains different, African policy tural commodities for the
a big challenge in most makers have for decades whole country is a recipe
African countries includ- been obsessed with for unfair trading because
ing local markets where setting uniform prices for production practices are
the majority of farmers, major food commodities not standard in different
traders and consumers at national level. How- production zones. Some
depend for their food and ever, there is need for a soils are too fertile while
income. There have not decent conversation in others need supplementa-
been convincing answers different communities to tion with basal fertilizers.
to questions like: Who figure out the extent to In the same country, the
determines pricing, pack- which prices of particular way sorghum or any crop
aging, measurement and food commodities can be is produced differs by
supply of commodities in uniform throughout the district due to inputs used
food markets? country. While the law by local farmers.
of averages might make
sense as part of making Where farmers use animal
How fair is setting food prices uniform across
uniform commodity manure and others use
the country, that can also anthill fertile soils, costs
prices for the country? induce unfair trade. associated with digging
and applying these inputs

25 Agribusiness
onto the land are often

not taken into account.
There are strong views

that due to different
climatic conditions, sup-
plies have to be carefully
coordinated towards en-
hancing fair trade. If that
is not done, a pocket of
potatoes that cost USD7
in one community can
be sold for double that
price in another com-
munity which is far from
the potato production
zone. Paying attention to
differences in agroeco-
logical regions can assist
in preventing speculative where pricing mech- Addressing information
pricing. This is where anisms are also very asymmetry empowers
efficient distribution questionable. If the cost farmers to negotiate
systems can address of getting reliable market prices with diverse
unfair trading practices information becomes buyers and determine
by ensuring commodities too high for the majority the value of their com-
are available in areas of of farmers, it contrib- modities. The presence
deficit at fair prices. utes to unfair trading of diverse actors in one
practices as those with market also tends to
Drivers of unfair trade in information on prevail- exacerbate unfair trading
African economies ing market prices end up practices. For instance,
Principles of fair pricing setting rules of the game every African food
are often lacking be- for everyone. Many market has micro actors
cause the majority of farmers have never seen like smallholder farmers,
farmers and consumers the market in action to medium scale farmers
cannot tell the difference be able to acquire state- and traders as well as
between a fair price and of-the-art knowledge big farmers and traders
an unfair one due to on market behaviour who can set prices for
information asymme- including price-setting all small actors including
try, among other push mechanisms. In the consumers. Big actors
factors. For instance, a majority of African mass with access to finance
trader who travels from food markets, price-set- can influence market op-
the city to buy ground- ting can take 30 minutes erations as well as those
nuts or sorghum in to one hour early in the who bring huge volumes
rural areas can easily set morning when the mar- of commodities at once
prices for farmers using ket opens. to muscle out smallhold-
prices in urban markets er farmers with fewer

26 Agribusiness
volumes. Building appropriate production-related costs

financial models for including the cost of
Using aggregation smallholder farmers marketing. Such knowl-
and finance models to can also reduce unfair edge is often missing
reduce unfair trade trade by neutralizing the among extension officers
power held by big actors because tracking price
Making the market fi- who can easily use their trends is not part of their
nancially liquid provides financial muscle to duties. To be able to ad-
competitive advantage manipulate markets in vice farmers on whether
to several market actors ways that lead to salient a particular price is bad,
in ways that ensure fair unfair trading practices. fair, good, better or best,
trade. When small mar- One of the major push extension officers should
ket actors lack liquidity, factors is that farmers be able to track prices
big buyers can go to lack pricing mecha- from diverse markets
rural areas and buy huge nisms. For instance, over a long period.
volumes of commodities they are not sure how
for a song and out-com- much a bucket of maize Is it the role of farmers
pete small local traders, should cost for a farmer to take agricultural com-
imposing unfair trading to break-even. This is modities to the market?
practices in the process. largely because very few One of the emerging
Enabling smallholder farmers do their costings views is that it is not the
farmers to access finance in terms of inputs and all role of farmers to market
for meeting pressing
needs will ensure the
farmers do not sell their
commodities in a hurry
at give-away-prices. This
will reduce unfair trade.
Another potential solu-
tion is aggregation which
will enable farmers in
particular communi-
ties to pool their small
volumes of commodities
into meaningful volumes
so that each farmer
avoids the cost of taking
small quantities to dis-
tant markets. By mini-
mizing individual market-
ing among smallholder
farmers, aggregation
reduces unfair trading
which is often self-inflict-
ing for farmers.

27 Agribusiness
commodities. Some- commodities when they It takes alertness and

body should do it in a come on-farm, farm- experience for farmers
trustful manner. Farmers ers should count and to be aware of these
cannot be expected to grade carefully before complex dynamics which
understand a market monitoring the entire can easily translate to
environment which they packaging process. This unfair trade. Farmers
have not known for is where unfair trading may also not know how
three to six months. Due against farmers can hiring transport as an
to unfair trading practic- begin. When armed with individual farmer is too
es, many African farmers information, where a expensive. One of the
are opting to keep their trader insists on buying key challenges is that
small grains and pulses and packing cucumbers market-related costs are
for more than two sea- at USD1 for four tubers, fixed and do not change
sons rather than being at the farmer can demand irrespective of the pre-
the mercy of middlemen. USD1 for five tubers. In vailing price of commod-
On the other hand, some some cases, traders can ities. Harvesting labour
processors also complain bring packaging like a is often over-looked yet,
of being short-changed sack originally intended depending on commodi-
by farmers. For instance, for wheat bran weighing ty, it can be 50c per sack.
some processors and 30kg and re-purpose Out of 30 bags of cu-
buyers have struggled to for buying butternuts, cumber, butternut or any
deal with cases where cucumber, carrots, commodity, a farmer can
farmers bring a good green beans, peas and easily lose seven bags to
sample for negotiating sweet potatoes at 60kg market-related costs.
a deal but the bulky of on-farm. All these have
the consignment may different weights.
comprise low quality
produce different from
the sample. Where
some buyers have tried
to buy at farmgate price,
that has been impossible
because such an expec-
tation does not often
take into account costs
of packaging, cleaning,
warehousing and fumi-
gation at the farm. Rare-
ly can all these services
be done on-farm.
Another critical negotia-

tion weapon for farmers
is packaging. Instead
of allowing traders or
middlemen to pack

28 Agribusiness
Opportunities and
challenges for the AFCTA
The fact that African
agriculture is character-
ized by unfair trade is no
longer debatable. This
presents challenges for
the African Continental
Free Trade Area (AFC-
TA). Trade cannot be
considered free when it
is not fair. For instance,
how is the AFCFTA going
to settle for a regional
maize price when African
countries have diverse
climatic conditions and
soils that support maize
production? Is it not
possible that countries
that produce in abun- edgetransafrica.com
dance will set or con- Mobile: 0772 137 717/
trol prices? Obviously, 0774 430 309/ 0712 737
countries or regions with 430
natural climatic condi-
tions favourable to the
production of particular
commodities may domi-
nate or control price-set-
ting. Perhaps AFCTA is
already examining how
current trading practices
are already contributing
to unfair trade, with a
view to correcting exist-
ing anomalies.
charles@knowledgetran-
safrica.com / charles@
emkambo.co.zw / info@
knowledgetransafrica.
com
Website: www.emkam-
bo.co.zw / www.knowl-

29 Livestock
Integrated fish-pig farming
T he raising of pigs can

fruit-fully be com-
bined with fish culture
More Information
Culture practices
The ponds measuring
by constructing animal about 1 000 m² may be
housing units on the pond located near your house,
embankment or over the of the total input cost so that you can take care
pond in such a way that in conventional fish of the fish and pigs and
the wastes are directly culture. can discourage poach-
drained into the pond. • The pond dikes provide ing. Check and repair the
The system has obvious space for erection of dikes. The pond should
advantages: animal housing units. be deep enough so as
to retain more than 1 m
• Pond water is used for
cleaning the pigsties and
water depth during the
• The pig waste acts as dry period.
excellent pond fertilizer for bathing the pigs.
and raises the biological • The system cannot be
productivity of the pond adopted in all parts of Pond preparation
and consequently in- India due to religious
creases fish production. consideration but it has Drain and dry the pond
special significance in to remove all the weeds
• Some of the fishes feed
certain areas as it can and fish fauna remain-
directly on the pig ex-
crete which contains 70 improve the socioeco- ing in the pond. If it is
percent digestible food nomic status of weaker not possible to drain the
for the fish. rural communities, es- pond, all the fish can be
pecially the tribals who killed by applying 15 kg
• No supplementary feed traditionally raise pigs of both bleaching powder
is required for the fish and can take up fish-pig
culture, which normally and urea for a 1 000 m²
farming easily.
accounts for 60 percent pond. Alternatively, 250
kg Mahua oil cake can be

30 Livestock
applied which kills all the

fishes and also acts as
organic pond fertilizer.
Pigs are brought to the
pond before stocking
the fish, so no basal
application of manure is
required.
Stocking
• Stock the pond with

fingerlings 7 days
after poisoning with
bleaching powder. The
recommended rate of
stocking is:
• Alterations can be
made on stocking den-
sity and species ratio,
depending on the local The number of pigs develop algal bloom or
conditions. required will depend any other abnormality.
• Grass carp should upon the pond area. Washings of pigsties are
be fed regularly with The excreta of three pigs drained into the pond
aquatic or terrestrial are sufficient to fertilize after sunrise to avoid
vegetation. Liming of a pond of 1 000 m². So oxygen depletion.
the pond is done at three pigs may be raised The pigsties can be
regular intervals. It
helps in stabilization of on a pond of 0.1 ha. As constructed from any
organic matter. About pigs attain slaughter size available cheap materials
25 kg lime shall be within 5-6 months and but the floor must be
required for one year. fish raising of Indian ex- cemented with a slope
otic carp is done for 10- towards the pond. Each
12 months, two lots of pig is provided with a
Harvesting pigs can be raised along floor space of 1-1.5 m².
Due to abundance of with one lot of fish.
natural food in the fish- Source : http://www.fao.
pig pond, the fish attains The pigsties are con- org/docrep/005/y1187e/
marketable size within structed on the pond y1187e16.htm
a few months. Partial embankments in such a
harvesting, therefore, way that the washings
should be done three are drained to the pond
times, depending upon through a delivery chan-
the growth of fish. Final nel. A diversion channel
harvesting may be done is always provided to
after 10-12 months. divert the excreta away
from the ponds as these
Pig raising

31 Livestock

32 Livestock
Good Management Practices for

Pig Producers
Breeding More Information be clipped shortly after
birth.
• Pigs are highly prolific in www.agribusiness.co.zw
• Vaccinate the piglets as
nature and two farrow- per recommended vacci-
ings in a year should be nation schedule.
planned by adopting sows should be placed in
optimal management • Supplementation of Iron
the farrowing pen after to prevent piglet anemia
conditions. bedding it properly. is necessary.
• For every 10 sows one
boar must be main- • The piglets meant for
tained for maximum
Piglets sale as breeder stock
fertility. must be reared properly.
• Take care of new born
• Breed the animals when • Male piglets not select-
piglets by providing
it is in peak heat period ed for breeding should
guard rails.
(i.e., 12 to 24 hours of be castrated preferably
heat). • Treat / disinfect the at the age of 3-4 weeks
navel cord with tincture which will prevent
Pregnancy of iodine as soon as it is the boar odour in the
cut with a sharp knife. cooked meat thus it
Give special attention enables production of
to pregnant sows one • Feed on mothers’ milk
quality meat.
week before farrowing by for first 6-8 weeks along
with creep feed. • Additional feed require-
providing adequate space,
ments of lactating sow
feed, water etc. The sows • Protect the piglets
must be ensured for
as well as farrowing pens against extreme weath-
proper nursing of all the
should be disinfected 3-4 er conditions, particu-
piglets born.
days before the expected larly during the first two
months.
date of farrowing and the
• Needle teeth should

33 Livestock
Sow
Care and management
of sows are very essen-
tial since they are re-
tained in the herd mainly
for breeding. Good man-
agement and feeding
will minimize problems
related to breeding.
Sows should be looked
after with particular care
so that the piglets are
delivered normally and
nursed properly.
Farrowing Sow and
Litter:
• Clean and disinfect the

farrowing pen with • Appearance of milk in piglet anaemia. Oral
a solution of 2 % of teats when pressed administration of iron
phenyl lotion and keep indicates the approach solution (1 g Ferrous
it vacant for a week. of farrowing time. sulphate in 25 ml of
water) 1 ml per piglet
• The pregnant female • Attend the farrowing
once a week can be
may be dewormed throughout. It may last
tried. A second injec-
2-3 weeks before up to 24 hours.
tion may be given at 5
farrowing and prior • Wipe the piglets clean weeks of age.
to admitting into the with towel/straw. Dis-
farrowing pen. Spray • Keep the farrowing
infect the naval cord
with external parasit- pen warm, dry and
with tincture of iodine.
icide (1% solution of clean.
Normal healthy piglets
malathion/cythion, bu- suckle teats within 10- • Needle teeth may be
tox. 0.05 %). Scrub the 30 minutes. Help small removed carefully.
under surface, sides, piglets to suckle.
inter digital space and • The time taken for
udder to remove dirt, • Placenta, dead piglets, expulsion of litter vary
eggs of parasites, dis- soiled bedding etc. from 1 hour to 5 hours.
ease germs etc. with may be removed and The interval between
soap and water just buried in time with the birth of the first
before moving into the least delay. The pla- and that of successive
farrowing pen. centa will be expelled piglets vary from a few
generally within a minutes to 3 hours.
• Move the clean animal short while. About 30 per cent of
to the clean pen 10 piglets are usually born
days before farrowing. • Provide 50 mg iron
in posterior presenta-
(Imferon 1 ml) on the
• Provide light bedding tion. Generally placen-
second day intra-mus-
of chopped straw 2-3 ta is shed only after all
cularly to prevent
days before farrowing. the piglings are born.

34 Livestock
Expulsion of placenta
is usually within 3
hours after expulsion
of foetus. Piglets start
suckling within 10-15
minutes after birth.
Artificial heat may
be provided by using
an infrared lamp /
ordinary electric bulb
during cold and rainy
season to avoid death
due to chilling.
Breeding management
The sows come to heat before farrowing to be started in small
once in about 21 days. avoid disturbances and quantities of concen-
Good feeding and man- to settle down in new trate mixtures along
agement induces heat Surroundings. The for- with laxatives like
(estrus) makes breeding rowing pen should be wheat bran.
easy, and larger litter dry, well ventilated and
size. Along with grains, lighted. Bedding mate-
rial should be provided Care and management
fish meal. skim milk of sucking sows
or butter milk may be in the farrowing pen.
given 2-3 weeks prior to • Prior to farrowing
• A sow gives about 150-
breeding to allow a body time, the ration of sow
200 kg of milk during 8
weight gain of 200-300 should be reduced to
week suckling period.
gm/day. half and should contain
Sows milk is more con-
laxative ingredient like
centrated than cows
wheat bran. The sow
milk hence sow require
Mating should be left undis-
more feed. Allow 1.5kg
turbed at farrowing
The average gestation of feed for the sow and
and may be helped
period of sow is about add 0.5 kg of feed per
during emergencies.
piglet to a maximum of
112-115 days the normal Remove piglets from
5-6 kg of total ration.
litter size is 8-10 piglets. a nervous sow and
Plenty of Lucerne hay
Older sows as larger allowed to suckle
and succulent fodder
litter size with high birth under supervision. As
may be provided.
weight. soon as the piglets are
born, they are dried • A few days prior to
with a cloth and placed weaning, the quantity
Farrowing in warm enclosure pig of feed is gradually
brooder. reduced to restrict milk
• The pregnant sow flow and dry the udder.
• Brood sows should be
should be shifted to given well-balanced Boar
farrowing pen 3-4 days rations. Feeding should

35 Livestock
• The boar should be

maintained in a sepa-
rate pen. They should
neither be overfed nor
underfed, since both
will affect its breeding
capacity. It should be
fleshy, and thrifty but
not too fatty. The feed
requirements include
both the demands
for maintenance and
reproduction. During
off-season the boar
should be given plenty
of grasses and le-
gume hay and 2kg of
concentrate mixture.
An additional 0.5 kg
of concentrate may be
given 2 weeks prior to
breeding season.
Trimming of boar’s be tied 2.5 cm away
• Boars should not be
feet periodically will from the navel,
used for breeding
prevent lameness in remaining portion is
earlier than 8 months
boars. The bolt cutters removed hygienically
of age. A young boar
can be used to remove and stumps are paint-
can be used for 15-20
tusks of boars to avoid ed with iodine.
sows in a season and
injuries to sows and
older ones may be • Piglets should be
attendants.
used for about 25-45 nursed after birth.
sows. A boar can be al- • Newly purchased boars They nurse 8-10 times
lowed to serve before should be kept sepa- in a day.
being fed. Not more rately for 2-3 weeks to
• Piglets are born with
than one service per avoid risk of introduc-
4 pairs of sharp teeth
day is allowed during ing any disease into
(2 pairs on each jaw)
breeding season. Older the farm.
which may injure ud-
sows may be used for
breeding season. Older Piglets der or teats. Hence clip
these teeth soon after
sows may be used for
• The piglets are re- birth.
breeding with younger
boars. moved as they are far- • Piglet anemia
rowed and kept warm (Thumps) : Since sows
• Boar should have free in creep space until milk is deficient in iron
access to water and farrowing is complete. and copper piglets
boar pen is kept clean
• Each piglet is cleaned suffer from serious
and dry. Dampness
of all mucous to en- deficiency resulting
should be avoided.
sure that the breathing in anemia. Affected
The boar should be
passage is clear piglets become weak,
scrubbed and washed
dyspeptic, and have
daily and kept clean. • The navel card should distressed breathing.

36 Livestock
Wheat bran 10 Un bred sows

Milk Feeding Fish meal 5 Pregnant sows
Mineral mixture 1 Sows at the time of par-
This disease is also called Antibiotics - turition
thumps because of their • Weaning of piglets: Lactating sows
difficulty in breathing. Usually weaning is Manure disposal
To prevent piglets ane- done at 7-8 weeks. The
mia udder of sow may sow should be separat- The dry solid dung may
be swabbed daily with ed from the piglets for be collected morning
a saturated solution of a few hours each day and evening and stored
ferrous sulfate for 4-6 to prevent stress of in the dung shed. The
weeks so that piglets can weaning and its feed is liquid part of urine and
reduced gradually.
get these minerals while washings may be taken
suckling the milk. Anoth- • Orphan piglets : Can to settling tanks.
er effective method is in- be raised either with a
foster sow or the use Integration
jection of iron - dextran
compounds available of milk replacer
Pigs can be effectively
commercially. integrated to a biogas
• Creep feeding: Piglets plant for meeting the
take dry feed at 2-3 Nutrition cooking /lighting de-
weeks. Provision of mand of the farmers. It
additional nutrients at The nutritional require- can also be integrated
this time is essential to ments of swine vary with to agriculture and fish
have maximum growth sex, age and physiologi- culture thereby increas-
and development. cal status of the animal. ing the overall economic
Creep feed is also According to the nutri- efficiency of the system.
called as pig starter for tional requirements, The pig dung is good
vigorous growth the swine can be classified
thriftiness, sows milk organic manure in dried
into 11 distinct groups as form or as compost.
alone .is not sufficient
follows.
for piglets. Creep feed
contains 25-30% CP.
Young pigs:
• Creep is a device by Pre starter pigs (2-5 kg)
which piglets are Starter pigs (5-11 kg)
allowed access to the
Grower pigs (11-23 kg)
concentrate mixture.
It may be arranged of
the corner of farrow- Weaning to market pigs:
ing pen. Creep feed is’ Growing and finishing
fed from 14-56 days. (23-57kg)
The composition is as Finishing (57-91 kg)
follows.
Adult males:
Ingredient/Parts Boars
Maize 65
GNC 14 Adult females:
Molasses 5 Gilts

Let us cover
your winter crop
As a farmer, you may do all you can to achieve higher yields and minimise
losses, but there remains some of the uncontrollable, accidental and
unforeseen risks. Our Wheat and Barley Crop Insurance provides financial
protection to you in the event of natural catastrophes affecting your crop
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Take advantage of our experienced and qualified agronomists who fully

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Sandra Mhashu [email protected] 0772 211 104
Eddson Magaisa [email protected] 0775 212 946
Simani Wadi [email protected] 0772 951 124
Global Link. Local Expertise

I
?
The The Agribusiness Expert Answers
Agribusiness
Expert
Answers
Q Are there any areas to avoid during soil sampling?
A • Avoid taking
soil samples
along the
farm bound-
aries.
• Avoid areas
where their
is manure.
• Avoid areas
with trees.
• Avoid
swampy
areas.

39 Fun and Games
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CABBAGES & LEAFY GREENS

Keeping Cabbage Winter Bolting Under

19 Crops 38 The Agri Expert Answers

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Take advantage of our experienced and qualified agronomists who fully

Sandra Mhashu [email protected] 0772 211 104

Eddson Magaisa [email protected] 0775 212 946

Simani Wadi [email protected] 0772 951 124

Global Link. Local Expertise

Cabbages and Leafy Greens - A

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....continued from page 4 complex machines The conveyer can be a

Harvesting aids can

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Cabbage Production Guide

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....continued from page 9

Planting on the flat rows

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Also apply a foliar spray

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Keeping Cabbage Winter

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Sweet potato leaves - served as

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How Supply and Demand Affect

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Addressing unfair trade is a key step

U nfair trading practices

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onto the land are often

There are strong views

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volumes. Building appropriate production-related costs

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commodities. Some- commodities when they It takes alertness and

Another critical negotia-

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Integrated fish-pig farming

T he raising of pigs can