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February 2019 .co.zw

Agribusiness
farming is a business!
 In this Issue
9 The Importance of Farm Financing
11 ���������������������������������������� Brooding Management

p 5 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . Aspindale Park Farmers’ Market

16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Agricultural Risk Management
GOAL SETTING:
Why important 19 . . . . . . . . . . Why farm machinery is the missing
for farmers piece in your Agribusiness Puzzle
22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Agribusiness Success Stories
26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Good Agricultural Practices:
Fertilizer Application
33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NEW The Agribusiness Expert

p 29 Answers
Broiler busi-
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Goal setting:
Why so important to
farmers?

T
here is a quote “If you aim at
nothing, you’ll hit it every time”
– Zig Ziglar. In the business of
farming, this is a more truism than
anything else. Many farmers carry
on with their routine farm opera-
tions without a target or any spe- under government programs, these
cific goal. farms still fail to contribute to the na-
Without a goal or aim, you will al- tional economy. In fact, most inputs
ways hit the target. It means as a end up being abused, sold at very low
farmer, you won’t know whether prices. By so doing, they hit it because
you have made it or not financial- such farmers do not have a target.
ly. You won’t know where, when The reason most farms are poorly per-
and how to improve. Why? Cer- forming lies in family or personal goals.
tainly, because you hit the ‘tar- Such goals influence investment de-

A goal is a target toward which you are willing to work. It is something you
wish to attain and provides direction for planning. To be most useful, state
goals in a particular way.

get’. You cannot track progress on cisions. Examining each farm on their
performance. personal and family goals will certain-
Even with all the inputs supplied, ly explain why their productive perfor-
sometimes donated or subsidized mance.

www.agribusiness.co.zw 5 FEBRUARY 2019

Goals/target/aim/objectives, all
somehow express the place your
plans. Be it crop yield tonnage, live-
stock weights or investments. Goals
help you focus your mind on target.
Just having an endpoint in mind
helps your mind do all the little plan-
ning things that happen in the back-
ground.
Common goals for farmers are subsis-
tence (feed their families and sell any
excess), to farm for growth, to create
sustainable livelihoods, to improve
the farm, to buy more land, to in-
crease yield, to earn enough profit for
personal development, to send their
children to school, to achieve capi-
tal gain and increase wealth and to
protect the environment. Such goals
help you to measure progress and
come up with ways to improve. At
the end of each season, make time
to check progress.
When setting goals, it is important to
keep in mind the available resourc-
es. Always make sure they match
your wishes. Agribusiness Consul-
tants can help in determining if mar-
ket demands, pricing, land, capital,
technology, knowledge and skills are
compatible with your goals. Consul-
tants also help you in exploiting the
full potential of your resources.
What is a goal
A goal is a target toward which you
are willing to work. It is something you
wish to attain and provides direction
for planning. To be most useful, state
goals in a particular way.
www.agribusiness.co.zw
Steps in setting farm
business goals
Obviously different families or individ-
ual prefer different approaches. The
following is just a recommendation.
1. Set aside times for goal setting.
One sure way is to set aside some time
each week to list ideas and possible
goals. Make time to review set goals,
say monthly. Set a time when every-
one is available, once a month, to set
new goals and review performance.
2. Assess your past performance.
What decisions did you make? What
were the alternatives? Has anything
changed? What could you have
done better?
3. Consider the current situation.
What are the alternatives available?
Be creative. Do you need to diversi-
fy or invest in value addition? Should
you consider the export market? For
each alternative, list advantages
and disadvantages and resources
required.
4. Now develop short medium and
long-term goals. Examine the rela-
tionship between these goals. Are
they competing, complementary or
independent?
5. After you have agreed on goals,
the next key step is action. Start with
those goals which have the highest
priority. The goals you have set will
help you to plan. This listing of your
goals will help you set priorities on
what to do. As a result, you will re-
duce frustration; and you will be ac-
complishing what you most want to
accomplish.
6 FEBRUARY 2019
Key points on setting each other. Look at how working
on a short-term goal contribute in
farm business goals. achieving a long-term goal. For ex-
ample, improving soil fertility in the
ÂÂ Goals are Specific Measurable short-term can result in increased
Attainable Relevant Time-based yield in long-term.
(SMART).
ÂÂ Farm business goals can be com-
ÂÂ Goals are specific and measur- petitive, complementary, or in-
able as to what is to be achieved. dependent. A family may wish to
For ex ample, ‘to increase yield’ is increase yield and also improve
not specific but ‘to increase yield lifestyle. This creates competition
by 50% to 140 tonnes’ is. If your goal on financial resources in the short-
is not measurable, you won’t know term. Writing down your plans and
whether you have hit the target. goals as a family helps you to see
ÂÂ Goals should be objective and how their relationship. Develop
realistic. Before you set a goal, ask goals as a group to avoid conflict.
yourself whether it can be attained. If you see farming as a business, set
ÂÂ A goal can only be achieved a goal today, put it on paper, make
with effort on your part. Anything time to review progress, seek assis-
that does not require your effort is tance from professionals on recom-
not a goal. mendations. Specialists in human
behaviour say that what you think is
ÂÂ A goal must have deadlines. ‘To possible influences what you are able
increase yield by 50% to 140 tonnes to accomplish. People move toward
in the year 2020’ is a good exam- whatever they visualize themselves
ple. being and doing—you are (or can
be) what you think. Successful man-
ÂÂ Put your goals in writing.
agers think ahead. By setting goals
ÂÂ Goals are classified into short they shape events, rather than letting
term, medium term and long-term. events shape them. Success in farm-
Ask yourself where you want to be ing depends on setting and attaining
as a farmer in the next five years. goals.
See how these goals relate to
AGRITALK

www.agribusiness.co.zw 7 FEBRUARY 2019

 installation, farm fencing and construction
of structures.

Managing cash-flow.
Immediate cash needs can be addressed
by loans or credit. These may include school
fees, medical bills, farm wages etc. This is
The Importance mainly so because the business of farming
is seasonal resulting in ups and downs in
of Farm Financing your farm cash flows.

A farm business loan has many benefits to
a farmer. Credit or loan should be treated
carefully, just like a loaded gun. It can be
useful if used very well and can be destruc-
tive if abused. The following is a summary
on how you can benefit from credit or farm
business loans.
Adjustment
Changes in market demand and pricing re-
quire a change in production systems. Fund-
ing is required should one decides to change
from one enterprise to another. Smart farm-
ing or the use or modern farming methods
may require funding or financing.

Protection against adverse conditions Value addition

The use of credit can assist the farmer to Forward integration into the value chain for
face adverse weather, disease conditions profit maximization requires investment or
and price uncertainties in farming. While it funding.
is virtually impossible to eliminate all forms
of risks in farming credit can play a major Meeting seasonal and annual fluctuation in
role in protecting the business from finan- income and expenditures
cial failure or liquidation when adverse con- Inputs must be purchased in one period and
ditions occur. products are sold later in the year with very
little cash inflows and outflows occurring at
Enabling production. the same time. Using credit to smooth out
Financing enable you to purchase inputs these fluctuations and so match cash in-
that include feed, fertiliser, seed, drugs and flows and outflows is essential to efficient
crop chemicals. Production is impossible operation.
without these.
Marketing
Increasing efficiency. Marketing of agricultural produce requires
Credit or loans can assist you to substitute financing. This includes logistics, maintain-
one input for a more efficient one. A farm- ing online presence, market research, and
er may have been using animals as draught advertising.
power thereby affecting his timeliness of
operations and yield. Investment into trac- We now appreciate how farm financing can
tor and equipment may require financing. affect farm productivity. In the next edition,
Financing also allows you to make farm im- we will look at the role of credit in agricultur-
provement that include irrigation, borehole al development. AGRITALK

www.agribusiness.co.zw 9 FEBRUARY 2019

 Do you need to:
□□ Test the feasibility study of your Agribusiness Idea?
□□ Determine the best financial resources to start your
business through investors or partners?
□□ Secure enough funding for you Agribusiness by estab-
lishing loans, lines of credit or payment terms?
□□ Identify the key people to work with as assistants, em-
ployees, partners or consultants?
□□ Establish business relationships with your customers,
suppliers, distributors or other stakeholders?
□□ Create an operational template for the successful man-
agement of your business?

Contact us for Bankable Agribusiness Plans

Tel. 0242 794326, 0774121076
info@agribusiness.co.zw, agribusinesstalk@gmail.com
Website: www.agribusiness.co.zw

www.agribusiness.co.zw 10 FEBRUARY 2019

 ÂÂ Temperature management – it is
generally easier to maintain the re-
quired temperature regimes during
the day. However, special care
must be taken during the night
whereby temperature drops signifi-
cantly. Adequate heat is required
to avoid chilling the chicks.

ÂÂ Heat stress – Don’t manage the

birds (especially after 2 weeks) in

Brooding
the peak of the heat (from about
11:00 AM till 16:00 PM). Disturbanc-

Management
es in form of vaccination, catch-
ing, weighing during hot periods of
the day must be avoided. Vitamin
Summer stress pack can be administered in
order to re-vitalise the birds. Cool
It is the time of the year whereby at- down the water tanks using ice in
mospheric temperatures rise and the water tanks especially on hot
broiler producers feel more confident days. Cooling down the roof with
of attaining exceptional bird perfor- water sprinklers helps. It is also im-
mance. The amount of heating fuel portant not to keep mature birds
required to maintain optimum brood- longer than their slaughter stage
ing temperatures is lower than during because they are usually the most
winter time, therefore, production affected.
costs significantly go down. The birds
are fairly more comfortable and inci- ÂÂ Heat reflection - Paint the roof in
dences of early mortality due to chill- white, the ratio is 1 kg of lime: 2 litres
ing are also low. Therefore, it generally of water: 200 mg of white glue. The
makes brooding management easier. roof that you can paint is the fibro-
cement or aluminium. Alternatively
It must however still be noted that use oil paint.
summer brings its own challenges with
it. These include disease outbreaks ÂÂ Water – Water is of crucial impor-
and heat stress when the atmospheric tance in summer otherwise birds
temperatures rise beyond birds’ com- suffer from dehydration. Water
fort. Such incidences cause significant and feed consumption are highly
losses. The following are management correlated. At room temperature,
strategies to help maximize returns flocks can consume twice more
during summer; water than the amount of feed they
eat. However, water consump-
ÂÂ Cleaning and disinfection – it is im- tion increases as the atmospheric
portant to decontaminate the fowl- temperature increases, up to 5%
run. This ensures that the chicks start for every 1°C between 32 – 38°C.
off in a disease free environment The water must be cool, otherwise
www.agribusiness.co.zw 11 FEBRUARY 2019
 it becomes unpalatable. Preferen- ÂÂ Stocking density – space manage-
tially the water reservoir and tanks ment is critical to maintain birds’
should be in the shade, or in the comfort. It must be increased con-
ground and the water pipes buried. sistently as the birds grow. An op-
The colour of the water tank ideal- timum stocking density of 10 birds
ly should be white (it is possible to per square meter is recommended
paint the black tank in white). Pro- from 21 days onwards.
viding clean, fresh, ample water
will help achieve success ÂÂ Ventilation – consistent and steady
air exchange inside the fowl-run
ÂÂ Feed – encourage the birds to feed is important to maintain optimum
early in the day and later on during levels of oxygen supply and to cool
the day. Lifting up feeders during the birds during hot periods. Check
hottest parts of the day and drop- if the outside curtain is completely
ping them down during the cooler open. If possible use stir fans (1/1000
parts will reduce the effects of heat birds). Open the doors (make sure
stress that you have wire mesh to protect
the door against the wild birds).
ÂÂ Equipment – using the recom-
mended type of equipment is criti- Our next article in the Agribusiness Di-
cal. Placing extra equipment helps igital Magazine March edition will dis-
birds to access water and feed with cuss Winter brooding management.
ease.

www.agribusiness.co.zw 12 FEBRUARY 2019

www.agribusiness.co.zw 13 FEBRUARY 2019
 Aspindale Park Farmers’ Market
T he Aspindale Park Farmers Market creates and increases oppor-
tunities for farmers to sell their fresh produce and products di-
rectly to the consumers. It encourages development of healthy com-
munity by providing the public with direct access to food producers.

Aspindale park farmers market has been set up for consumers and farmers
to the highest standards of efficiency. It is Aspindale Farmers Market’s pas-
sion to offer quality, security and organised systems that connect, educate and
empower the community to support a healthy, hygienic sustainable food sys-
tem. In turn this network will contribute to the success of local food growers.

Why Aspindale Park Farmers’ Market

Farmers
1. Efficient and organised loading and
offloading facilities
2. Market guarantee for produce all
year round
3. Potential access to foreign markets
4. Access to market information which
would aid in production of produce
that meets consumer’s tastes and
preferences
5. Access to agro inputs dealers will
be in close proximity of the market
for convenience of the farmer
6. Potential access Agricultural financ-
ing options
www.agribusiness.co.zw 14
Consumers
1. Organised layouts bring an ease to
their shopping experience
2. Fresh local produce available all
year round – building a community
that eats healthy and stays healthy
3. Spacious and safe parking while
shopping
4. Clean ablutions on site
5. Restaurant offering tasty meals
and refreshments
FEBRUARY 2019
www.agribusiness.co.zw 15 FEBRUARY 2019
 Agricultural Risk
Management
A griculture provides food and contributes
significantly to the national economy and
in the creation of sustainable livelihoods.

One of the main characteristics that distinguish

agriculture from other businesses is its great de-
pendence on nature. Wind, drought, hail, frost,
pests, theft, sudden death, livestock, and plant
diseases are some risks of the business of farm-
ing that can wipe out all the capital and effort
invested. In some cases, these may even lead to
full crop damage. The farmer, when compared
to other industries, has far less control over
production due to natural factors. The over-
whelming importance of physical factors limits
the scope of human endeavor and his desired
results, therefore, depend beyond farmers’ con-
trol. This, fueled with climate change, creates
risk in such a highly profitable business.

CREDSURE highlights one best way to manage

the risk of production, Agricultural Insurance.
Agricultural insurance focuses on protecting in-
vestment made by farmers to obtain a specific
crop or livestock output from possible risks.

CREDSURE farm insurance reduces debt.

Farmers are able to pay back their borrowed
capital even during a crop or livestock failure.
Farmers are thus protected against crop or live-
ing them achieve their goals.
stock failures. They are able to recoup after
heavy losses. Another major benefit of CRED- Insuring your farm business with CREDSURE
SURE farm insurance is its significant contri- ensures you get peace of mind in the event of
bution in fighting poverty. A natural disaster is disaster.
unpredictable. When they happen, farmers who
have heavily invested in agriculture get their in-
vestment destroyed. This, in turn, makes them
poor. Farm businesses covered by CREDSURE CREDSURE Farm Insurance covers the follow-
insurance will get compensation. With the ing:
money paid out, farmers are in place to reinvest
in farming and other agricultural activities help-

www.agribusiness.co.zw 16 FEBRUARY 2019

 Crops
JJ Physical damage or destruction of the
crop or the potential yield of the crop due
to
JJ Malicious damage
JJ Hailstorm
JJ Fire, lightning
JJ Windstorm
JJ Flood of the crop field (flowing bursting
or overflowing from an external source.
JJ Sprayed chemicals from adjourning
farms
JJ Stray animals (60% cover limit)
JJ Frost and transit risks encompassing fire,
overturning, collision, theft, and hijack-
ing
Tobacco
CREDSURE insurance covers tobacco from
time of planting until final delivery to buyer’s
agent’s depot, auction floor or warehouse in
Zimbabwe against destruction caused by fire,
and allied perils, hail (optional) accidental loss
or damage during transit and theft where appli-
cable.
www.agribusiness.co.zw 17
Livestock
(cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, broilers, lay-
ers, etc) CREDSURE insurance covers the in-
sured in respect of any livestock killed whilst
anywhere on the insured’s premises or whilst on
any adjacent premises by arrangement for the
purposes of grazing.
JJ Fire and lighting
JJ Floods
JJ Cyclones
JJ Strike
JJ Diseases (epidemics – 60% cover limit)
JJ Impact by any road vehicles, railway
locomotive or rolling stock
JJ Snake Bites
JJ Accidental electrocution
JJ Non-political riot
JJ Calving losses and theft.
NB: All poultry are covered on a flock basis
Good husbandry practice should always be
adhered to.
FEBRUARY 2019
 FARM
INSURANCE What we cover:
ÂÂ Crops: commercial maize, seed maize, wheat, potatoes, sug-
ar beans, sorghum, barley, rapoko, tomatoes, sesame, cow
peas.
ÂÂ Tobacco Leaf- from time of planting until final delivery to
buyer’s or agent’s depot, auction floor or warehouse in Zim-
babwe.
ÂÂ All Risk- this is cover for all farming equipment including
buildings and household belongings on the farm.

295 Samora Machel Avenue, Eastlea, Harare

Contact Tel: +263 04 778 818/19, 0772412886/0772334738
www.sovereignriskmanagers.com
 Why farm machinery is the missing piece
in your Agribusiness Puzzle
S uccessful agribusinesses involve
the use of machinery. In actu-
al fact, World over, the greatest
growth of farm businesses is marked
by the use of farm machinery. Cattle
as drought power replaced by tractors,
scotch carts replaced by trailers, hoes
replaced by ploughs. Every farm that
is backward in the use of these imple-
ments, is also backward in output and
every phase of development. The most
striking difference between subsistence
and commercial farms or between suc-
cessful and unsuccessful farm business-
es is on machinery and the efficient use
of such equipment.
Successful farms in Zimbabwe today
efficiently use modern machinery. This
has resulted in the creation of sustain-
www.agribusiness.co.zw 19
able livelihoods for farm owners and in-
creased farm output. National develop-
ment of a country is usually measured
by how its ability to produce enough
food for consumption and export to
earn foreign currency. Imagine the con-
dition we would be in if all our farmers
did not use any modern mechanical
equipment? We will be starving as a na-
tion.
The use of women and chil-
dren as farm labourers
The efficient use of farm machinery
and equipment reduces labour require-
ments. Mostly women and children were
seen and regarded as farm labourers.
The introduction of modern farm ma-
FEBRUARY 2019
chinery has changed the game. Women Machinery Vs Animals
have time for their family chores and (Draught power) cost
children can now further their educa-
tion. This has been necessitated by the When machines are idle or not work-
introduction of farm machinery. ing, the cost of running is almost zero.
Whereas in livestock as draught ani-
Increased production mals, the cost remains the same during
both periods or use or idleness. Ani-
Farm machinery enables each family to mals have to be treated and fed even
produce for 3 or more families or run a when not working while machines re-
commercial farm business. It increases quire minimal attention when idle. As a
production per capita. This is achieved replacement of drought power tractors
by increasing the speed and rapidity complete work in a very short period of
of farm operations. If we are t give a time.
ploughman a tractor today, his output
will increase by at least 8 times. The Better use of land
same with a farm assistant who used
to plough an acre, with the correct ma- One of the major reasons why you are
chinery and equipment, can do 12 hect- not fully utilizing your land/ farm is in-
ares in the same period of time. adequate labour. Mechanization pro-
vides for better utilization of agricultur-
Increased efficiency al land.
The use of farm machinery of your farm We are running a series of article on
increases labour efficiency. The quan- farm machinery to ensure success in
tum of labour needed per each unit your farm business operations. In the
of output is reduced. Reduced cost of next article, we will look at factors to
production increases farm profitability. consider when purchasing farm machin-
Farm assistants can be assigned to work ery and equipment. Remember farming
on other tasks. is a business!

Increased yield and farm in-

come
Farm mechanization increases yield by
50% or more depending on crop and
management. Increase in yield also
means an increase in revenue. This cre-
ates a more sustainable farm business
operation.

www.agribusiness.co.zw 20 FEBRUARY 2019

 Agribusiness Success
Stories
Youthful farmer reaps
benefits from taking
farming as a business
by FAO

D
esire and his brother
showing the profit mar-
gins for maize grown
during the 2017 crop-
ping season.

Desire Sibanda, 28, exudes confi-

ing had become his source of employment and
dence as he speaks to guests who had visited
had intentions to employ other people in fu-
his home in Kwekwe district, about 300km
ture.
from the capital, Harare. He proudly shows
his recently completed house, a deep well
“I know there are people who say there are no
with a submersible pump and reservoir tank,
jobs, I have also tried getting formal employ-
a flourishing garden and orchard, lush maize,
ment as I possess a class two driver’s license.
sorghum and sweet potato crops and several
I have realized that agriculture is the key to a
chickens.
better life. I will continue expanding my busi-
ness and start my own shop where I will sell
For the young farmer, the decision to join the
some of my farm produce. I will also create
Zimbabwe Livelihoods and Food Security
employment as I will need other people to as-
Programme (LFSP) in 2015 has been a game
sist me with the business,” said Desire.
changer.
The 2016/17 farming season was very success-
“I have heard people say that farming is for
ful for the farmer who grew maize and sweet
poor people. I agree but add the statement that
potatoes. Desire managed to buy a submers-
it is for poor people so that they get rich. I can
ible pump, a generator and a storage tank to
safely say that I am rich as I can afford to feed
ensure uninterrupted water supply for his
myself and my wife throughout the year. I also
crops. He used part of the money to drill a 30
get a balanced diet as I produce most of what I
metre deep borehole which is used to water
need. LFSP has taught us to eat healthy and we
the vegetables as well as provide clean and safe
are doing just that.”
water for a number of households within his
village.
The energetic and eloquent farmer said farm-
www.agribusiness.co.zw 22 FEBRUARY 2019
 we cannot afford it. We eat meat once or twice
Proper planning pays off weekly, making it very expensive to eat beef
so regularly,” added Desire who lives with nine
According to Desire farming is not about other family members.
grappling in the dark but one has to under-
take a serious analysis before venturing into a Young farmers emulating Desire
crop. This, the farmer said, was emphasised in
the trainings that they attended under LFSP. Other young farmers from within his village
The result is that they plan on the type of crop, have emulated Desire with equally impres-
the quantities and the timing so that they get sive results. One such farmer is Abigail Nyoni,
maximum returns. They also do simple anal- who is also a mother. Abigail said she was able
yses to calculate the gross margins, to inform to take care of her children because of the in-
choice of crop for the next season. The young formation she got from the study circle.
farmer keeps records of all farm activities, an-
other lesson learnt from the trainings under “I decided to join the study circle after I real-
LFSP. ised that I would benefit from the information
shared through the group. I have used this in-
Desire recently married and used proceeds formation to make decisions on what to plant
from his farming business to finance the wed- and how to market. This guided me last year
ding. Chickens which were consumed on the when I grew tomatoes. The proceeds from the
wedding were all from his farm. The couple sale of tomatoes has seen me sending children
were recently blessed with a baby who Desire to school and buy other things they need,” said
said will be provided for through proceeds Abigail.
from the farming business.
She added that her wish was to grow the busi-
“I have improved greatly, (since becoming a ness and also buy livestock as a cushion should
member of LFSP), I got a plan for a fowl run anything bad happen to her tomato farming.
structure from LFSP, and I have seen an im-
provement in my fowl enterprise - the chick- Desire and the fellow young farmers use the
ens and guinea fowls that I keep are multiply- study circle approach to discuss their farm-
ing faster and growing much quicker. I was ing businesses. The study circle approach is
using an ordinary room, the open space and another approach that was introduced by a
trees prior to the new structure and I am see- consortium of partners under the banner EX-
ing that my birds are now very secure. I used TRA and comprising WHH, CTDO, We Ef-
about US$120 for the structure and it is a very fect, ICRISAT and Heifer International under
wise decision and it is worth the investment,” LFSP.
added the farmer.
The story of Desire Sibanda is a very good ex-
The chickens and some guinea fowls serve a ample of how young people can be produc-
dual purpose: meeting the family’s dietary tively engaged in agriculture, generate income
needs and generating extra income. “We for themselves and contribute to the national
slaughter some of the birds for consumption economy. This is particularly important for
as a family. A single bird is enough for one Zimbabwe with a high rate of youth unem-
meal for the entire family. We alternate be- ployment.
tween the guinea fowls, chickens and rarely
turkeys or goats. Beef is quite expensive and The Livelihoods and Food Security Pro-
www.agribusiness.co.zw 23 FEBRUARY 2019
gramme funded by UKAid’s DFID, and man-
aged by the Food and Agriculture Organisa-
tion (FAO) as well as Palladium, is a suitable
vehicle for youth engagement in agriculture
since it addresses farmer training and exten-
sion, access to diverse and nutritious foods,
access to rural finance as well as markets for
inputs and outputs. The innovative and labour
saving technologies promoted by LFSP makes
agriculture attractive to the youths, who can
choose lucrative value chains to pursue. The
programme is contributing to employment
generation and economic empowerment for
rural youths.

www.agribusiness.co.zw 24 FEBRUARY 2019

www.agribusiness.co.zw 25 FEBRUARY 2019
 Under GAP guidelines, the use of human sew-
age as an organic fertilizer is not allowed and
fertilizers (including organic, inorganic syn-
thetic, or non-synthetic) must not come in
direct or indirect contact with fresh fruit and
vegetable products.

The ratio of synthetic fertilizer taken up by

plants to the amount of fertilizer applied into
the ground is generally believed to be about
30%. This also depends on the soil porosity,
structure, and contours of the farmed land,
the root system of the plants, and the manner
Good Agricultural Practices: in which the fertilizers have been applied. The
excess of such fertilizers will more often find
Fertilizer Application its way downstream and eventually seep into
the waterways, and may end up in nearby po-
Plants survive through the nutrition that table water supplies.
they receive from the air and soil. When un-
disturbed, the natural plant nutrient cycle is The quantum of fertilizer that needs to be ap-
capable of being sustaining for long periods. plied into the ground should be determined
However, when food crops are grown, the by a laboratory soil analysis to find out what is
constant extraction of plant nutrients from lacking in the soil and how much is required
the soil will mean they need to be replenished by the planted crop for each crop cycle. A fer-
with fertilizers. Fertilizers are organic or inor- tilizer application program can be developed
ganic materials, or synthetic or non-synthetic for crop cultivation. A competent agriculture
compounds that are added to the soil to re- technician is required to make such prescrip-
plenish or supply one or more basic plant nu- tions.
trients to support healthy and vigorous crop
production. Applying Fertilizer
Fertilizer Hazards, Storage and Appli- Farmers applying fertilizers in the field are ex-
cation posed to contaminations in their handling of
synthetic fertilizers and non-composted ani-
Although fertilizers provide vital nutrients mal waste fertilizers. Farmers are required to
to plants, direct exposure to them will cause wear rubber hand gloves when applying fer-
health hazards in humans. Synthetic fertilizer tilizers manually. Synthetic fertilizers kept in
can be toxic to humans in its raw form. Organ- the storeroom emit gases that may be toxic to
ic fertilizers, especially unprocessed human humans. For example, urea kept in bags in the
and animal sewage, contain pathogens that are storage area may release ammonia gas when
highly harmful to humans. The risk to human the temperature rises. The ammonia gas rises
health in using and handling human and ani- in the air in the storeroom and forms ammonia
mal sewage is extremely high. The handling of vapor, which is a very corrosive agent. Farm
human or animal sewage as fertilizer must be workers entering the storeroom can be ex-
done very carefully. posed to the ammonia vapor through breath-
www.agribusiness.co.zw 26 FEBRUARY 2019
ing, swallowing, or skin contact. The vapor
reacts with water to produce ammonium
hydroxide. This chemical is very corrosive
and damages cells in the body on contact.
Organic fertilizer storage and application
guidelines: ∆∆ Determine the nutrient contribution of
∆∆ Human sewage must not be used as fer-
tilizer.
∆∆ Undertake a risk assessment on organ-
www.agribusiness.co.zw 27
ic fertilizers that reflects their source,
method of composting, heavy metal con-
tent, timing of application, placement,
and the period between placement and
harvest. Indicate an action plan for how
to minimize the risk of contamination.
the organic fertilizer application.
AGRITALK
FEBRUARY 2019
www.agribusiness.co.zw 28 FEBRUARY 2019
 Broiler production profit calculator

Chicks
Number of Day old chicks 500
Chick cost per unit $7.20

Cost of chicks $3,600.00

Stockfeed
Starter 250.0 Kgs $5.10 $/kg $1,275.00

Growers 750.0 Kgs $4.82 $/kg $3,615.00

Finisher 750.0 Kgs $4.40 $/kg $3,300.00

Feed cost $8,190.00

Veterinary supplies
Stress pack

Disinfectant

Vaccination $409.50
Other costs
Transport $204.75
Labour, heating, bedding and other overheads $409.50
Total expenses $12,813.75

Sales revenue 475 Birds $62.00 Ea. $29,450.00

(less 5% mortality)
$12,813.75
Expenses
Gross Profit $16,636.25

Note: Reset total fields to zero for accurate totals

Contact: +263242790326 +263774121076
emai: info@agribusiness.co.zw
www.agribusiness.co.zw
copyright 2019

www.agribusiness.co.zw 29 FEBRUARY 2019

 Weekly urban producer prices for the week ending 01 February 2019
Crop Unit of measure Mbare Chikwanha Manicaland Mash Mash Mash Masvingo Mat Mat Midlands
East Cent West North South
price is in US$

Maize grain 20 litre tin $5.00 $5.00 $8.00 $5.00 $5.00 $8.00 $6.00 Nil $8.00 nill
Maize meal 20 litre tin $4.50 $4.50 n/s n/s n/s $10.00 n/s Nil n/s $22.00
Brown rice 20 litre tin $24.30 n/s Nil n/s n/s $45.00 n/s Nil n/s $25.00
Cowpeas 20 litre tin $8.00 $8.00 $35.00 $10.00 $6.00 $30.00 $8.00 Nil $10.00 nill
G/nuts (shelled) 20 litre tin $21.50 $21..50 $35.00 $24.00 $18.00 $25.00 $20.00 Nil $20.00 nill
G/nuts (unshelled) 20 litre tin $9.00 $9.00 $18.00 $7.00 $6.00 $12.00 n/s Nil n/s $10.00
G/nuts (fresh) 20 litre tin $7.00 $7.00 $24.00 n/s $5.00 n\s $7.00 Nil n/s
$15.00
Roundnuts (shelled) 20 litre tin $24.00 $24.00 $18.00 $30.00 $20.00 $32.00 $20.00 Nil $20.00 $30.00
Roundnuts (unshelled) 20 litre tin $12.00 $12.00 Nil $9.00 $7.00 $15.00 $16.00 Nil n/s nill
Roundnuts (fresh) 20 litre tin $11.50 $11.50 $28.00 n/s $8.00 $8.00 n/s Nil n/s nill
Sorghum 20 litre tin $22.00 $22.00 $18.00 $12.00 $20.00 $20.00 $10.00 Nil $10.00 $30.00
P/millet (mhunga) 20 litre tin $17.50 $19.00 $10.00 $14.00 n/s $20.00 $14.00 Nil $10.00 nill
F/millet (rapoko) 20 litre tin $20.50 $20.00 $20.00 $12.00 $20.00 $40.00 $10.00 Nil $10.00 $18.00
Wheat 20 litre tin $18.00 n/s $10.00 n/s $9.00 $20.00 n/s Nil n/s $20.00
Soya beans 20 litre tin $27.00 $20.00 $40.00 n/s $12.00 $23.00 n/s Nil n/s $35.00
Sugar beans 20 litre tin $22.00 $35.00 $50.00 $27.00 $25.00 $48.00 $25.00 Nil $35.00 $20.00
Sweet potatoes 20 litre tin $7.00 $7.00 $15.00 n/s $5.00 $4.00 n/s nil $10.00 n/s

www.agribusiness.co.zw 30 FEBRUARY 2019

Crop Unit of measure Mbare Chikwanha Manicaland Mash Mash Mash Masvingo Mat Mat Midlands
East Cent West North South
Vegetables

Baby marrow Pocket $5.00 $5.0 $20.00 n/s n/s $1.00 $2.00 Nil n/s n/s
Broccoli Head $2.00 $2.00 $0.70 $0.50 n/s $2.00 $2.00 Nil n/s $5.00
Butternut Pocket $9.00 $9.00 $8.50 $3.00 $1.00 $11.00 $5.00 Nil n/s $12.00
Cabbage Head $1.50 $1.50 $0.70 $0.40 $0.50 $1.50 $1.00 Nil $1.00 $2.00
Carrots Punnet /pocket $3.00 $3.00 $12.00 $1.00 $1.00 n\s $1.00 Nil $1.00 $2.00
Chillies Cup/pocket $2.00 $2.00 $2.50 $1.00 $0.50 n/s $1.00 Nil n/s $2.00
Cauliflower Head $1.50 $1.50 $0.70 $0.50 n/s $1.00 $2.00 Nil n/s n/s
Cucumber Each/ pocket $7.00 $7.00 $8.00 n/s $0.20 $1.00 for $1.00 $2.00 $1.00
4
Garlic Pocket small $8.00 $8.00 $20.00 $1.00 $1.00 $4.00 $4.50 Nil $3.00 $6.00
Green beans 500g/ pocket $2.00 $2.00 $7.00 $5.00 $1.00 $1.00 per $1.50 Nil n/s $2.00
cup
Green Mealies Dozen $5.00 $5.00 $3.50 $1.00 $1.00 $4.00 $3.00 Nil $1.00 $6.00
Green pepper 500g/pockets $3.00 $1.00 $15.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 for $1.80 Nil $1.00 $2.00
4
Irish potato Pocket $13.50 $13.50 $18.00 $12.00 $6.00 $15.00 $10.00 Nil $12.00 $15.00
Mufushwa 50kg $8.00 $8.00 $15.00 n/s $6.00 $24.00 $7.00 Nil n/s $10.00
Okra Kg/pocket $2.00 $2.00 $12.00 n/s $3.00 $8.00 n/s n/s $1.00
Onion (dry) Pocket $12.00 $12.00 $22.00 $10.00 $10.00 $12.00 $6.00 n/s $15.00
Onion (green) Bundle $2.00 $2.00 $4.00 n/s n/s $2.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00
Shallots Bundle $1.75 $1.75 $2.25 $1.00 $0.50 $0.50 $1.00 n/s $2.00
Rape/ covo Bundle $1.00 $1.00 $2.50 $0.30 $0.75 $1.20 $0.50 $1.00 $1.00
Tomatoes Box/20litre tin $17.00 $17.00 $50.00 $13.00 $3.00 $15.00 $6.00 $10.00 $18.00
Spinach Bundle $1.00 $1.00 n/s n/s $0.50 n/s $0.50 n/s n/s
Lettuce Head $1.50 n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s

Apples Pocket $24.00 $24.00 $18.00 $25.00 $1.00 $1.00 for $24.00 $25.00 $25.00
4
Avocado pears Each/dozen/box $1.00 $0.30 $0.40 $0.20 $0.30 $1.00 for $0.20 n/s $1.00
3
Banana Box $13.00 $13.00 $15.00 $1.00 $8.00 $1.00 for $6.00 $1.00 $15.00
12
Guava 20 litre tin n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s

www.agribusiness.co.zw 31 FEBRUARY 2019

Crop Unit of measure Mbare Chikwanha Manicaland Mash Mash Mash Masvingo Mat Mat Midlands
East Cent West North South
Lemons Dozen/pocket $2.00 $2.00 $2.25 $1.00 $0.50 $1.00 for $1.00 n/s $2.00
20
Mangoes 20 litre tin n/s n/s $8.00 n/s n/s $4.00 n/s n/s
$8.00
Naartjie Pocket $6.00 $4.00 Nill n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s
Oranges Pocket $6.00 $3.00 $9.00 $15.00 n/s $8.00 $5.00 n/s n/s
Peaches Pocket/tray/box $11.00 n/s $7.00 n/s n/s $1.00 for n/s n/s n/s
8
Strawberries Kg n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s

Egg crate $5.00 $5.50 $12.00 $6.00 $5.50 $7.50 $4.50 $5.00 $9.00
Chicken bird $7.50 $6.00 $15.00 $7.00 $6.00 $8.00 $6.00 $7.00 $14.00
Milk (fresh) litre $1.50 $1.00 $2.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 n/s $4.00
Goats Each n/s n/s $50.00 $30.00 $35.00 $27.00 $35.00 $35.00 $100.00
Sheep Each n/s n/s $90.00 $50.00 n/s $36.00 $50.00 $40.00 $250.00
Cattle Beast/ live mass n/s n/s $800.00 $350.00 $350.00 $800.00 $500.00 $350.00 $1000.00

Other Seasonal produce

Macimbi 20litre tin $44.00 n/s $80.00 $1.00 n/s $60.00 $30.00 $30.00 $50.00
Matemba/ kapenta 20litre tin $39.90 $40.00 $65.00 $0.50 $24.00 $12.00 $30.00 $30.00 $50.00
per kg
Masau 20 litre tin n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s $8.00 n/s n/s n/s
Mazhanje 20 litre tin n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s nill
Pumpkin Each $1.00 $0.50 $2.00 n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s
Sugarcane Dozen stalks n/s n/s $2.00 n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s
Watermelons each $1.90 $1.00 Nil n/s $4.00 $2.00 n/s n/s $6.00
Yams/madhumbe 20 litre tin $28.00 $9.00 $15.00 n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s n/s
Honey Bottle/ 20litre $7.50 $3.00 $75.00 n/s n/s $3.00 per n/s n/s $6.00
500g

www.agribusiness.co.zw 32 FEBRUARY 2019

 ?
the Weed control: What should i
know?
Agribusiness
Expert
Answers
1. Weeds compete with crops for light, water, and nu-
trients.
2. Control weeds before they begin to severely compete
with crops, and assure they have been removed or killed
before they set seed.
3. The three classes of weeds include broad leaves,
sedges, and grasses. Knowing which group the weeds in
your field belong to is important for selecting the right
herbicide. It is important to be able to tell the difference
between these classes quickly and by eye.
Why should I add val- 4. Integrated weed management makes use of different
forms of weed control. This improves the management of
ue to my produce? weeds and reduces the development of herbicide resis-
tance.
5. Cultural management methods are easy to apply and
should be used to control weeds before considering use
The Agribusiness Ex- of herbicides. Cultural control methods are also part of
best agronomic management practices.
pert says.... 6. Manual and mechanical weed management can be ef-
fective to remove perennial and noxious weeds. Mechan-
ical weeders are available that can be effective for rice,
Value addition has so many benefits to you though for perennial weeds, additional hand weeding
as a farmer that include: may be needed to remove the roots of the
1. Increased revenue. Any improvement weeds as they cause re-growth
on your final product increases your 7. Herbicides should only be used along size cultural
selling price and sales revenue. and mechanical control options.
2. Value addition allows you to focus on 8. Herbicides can cause weeds to become resistant to
your market thereby developing loyalty. chemical control. Monitor closely for
3. Increased bargaining power. herbicide resistant weeds and be ready to change weed
4. Value addition gives you the opportu- control products as needed.
nity to create and promote your own 9. The three major kinds of herbicides are pre-plant,
brand. pre-emergence, and post-emergent herbicides

How long does it take to fat-

Send your burning agribusiness ques- ten steers?
tions by text email or WhatsApp
0774121076
90 to 120 days on commercial feed and adlib good qual-
info@agribusiness.co.zw ity hay.

www.agribusiness.co.zw 33 FEBRUARY 2019