Agribusiness

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Farm Enterprise Selection

Factors to consider
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 In this Issue
4......................... Farm Enterprise Selection: Factors to Consider
13....................................... Bank Loan / Credit Application Process
15......................................Maize gross margin budget (interactive)
16........................................ An Introduction to Growing Groundnuts

04 23.............................................................. Vegetables Planting Calendar

25......................................... Egg Nutrition, Quality and Preservation
30................................................................................................. Market Update
31................................................................................................ 160 Hydro farm
32.................................................... The Agribusiness Expert Answers

16
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31
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www.agribusiness.co.zw 3 OCTOBER 2019

Business information and tools agribusiness magazine

Farm Enterprise Selection:

Factors to Consider
Every farmer in Zim- ting. The next step is or aim, you will always
babwe faces the ques- to determine feasi- hit the “target”. You
tion of what to pro- bility of the set goals won’t know where,

“
duce. factoring the resourc- when and how to im-
es required. Finally, prove. Why? Certainly,
The selection of enter- select the desired en- because you hit the
The selection
prises is critical in de- terprises, plan, mobi- ‘target’. You cannot of enterpris-
termining whether or lize resources and im- track progress on per- es is critical
not the goals of your plement the business formance.
business and family plan. in determin-
will be met through Even with all the inputs ing whether
farming. supplied, sometimes
Setting goals donated or subsidized or not the
This article will pro- under government goals of your
vide a step by step programs, farms with- business and
guideline to the enter- There is a quote “If out goals still fail to
prise selection process you aim at nothing, perform. In fact, some family will be
you’ll hit it every time”
for both existing and
– Zig Ziglar. In the busi-
farmers end up abus- met through
emerging farmers. ing inputs, selling at
farming.

”
ness of farming, this very low prices in the
The first step is set- is a more truism than market.
ting goals and objec- anything else. Many
tives for your family. farmers carry on with Goals have to be spe-
Agribusiness February their routine farm cific, measurable,
Edition, page 5 has operations without a achievable, realistic
more information on target or any specific and timely. The fol-
the need for goal set- goal. Without a goal lowing questions can

www.agribusiness.co.zw 4 OCTOBER 2019

Business information and tools agribusiness magazine
help you in formulat- tion to attain relevant of enterprises simply
ing SMART goals and knowledge and skill? because the resource
objectives. Are you involved in requirements among
other activities related enterprises vary. A list
What is your primary to farming? When do of resources typically
reason for farming? Is you expect return on includes land, labour
it a business or a hob- your farm investment? and capital. But there
by? What percentage are other important
of your time to you factors to consider
devote to farming? Resources such as climate, access
What are your future to information, man-
plans? Are you willing The availability of re- agement skills, and
to invest in educa- sources will ultimate- markets.
ly limit your choice

www.agribusiness.co.zw 5 OCTOBER 2019

Business information and tools agribusiness magazine
Market resources required by Where does your wa-
each enterprise you ter come from?
are considering. A writ- □□ What are the legal
Access to markets is the
ten list will enable you requirements of
most commonly over-
to easily check off the using available wa-
looked factor in the
requirements on the ter sources?
enterprise selection
enterprise resource re- □□ What is the water
process. But in fact, it
quirement list later on. quality?
can be your most lim-
iting constraint. Simply □□ When is irrigation
because you can grow water available to
something does not Land you and in what
mean you can sell it. □□ How much land do amount?
And just because you you have available? □□ What type of irriga-
can sell a product does □□ What is the physi- tion system do you
not mean that it will be cal profile and to- have?
profitable. A third pos- pography of the □□ What are the differ-
sibility is that you will land? ences in cost and
be able to sell a prod-
□□ What is the soil efficiencies for al-
uct at a money-making
texture, drainage ternative systems?
price but that you will
only be able to sell a capability and nu-
limited amount of the trient levels?
product; that is, less □□ Which types of Farm structures
than the total amount weeds are growing □□ What type of build-
that you are able to on the soil? ings do you have on
produce. □□ Which other crops the property and
have been grown what is their condi-
Consider your market on the land? tion?
potential carefully. If □□ Do you have struc-
it is a product that has turally sound fenc-
never been tried be- Climate es?
fore in your area plan
to take several years □□ What is the aver- □□ If you feel you need
to get established. Also age rainfall in your additional build-
consider distance from area and when are ings or fences, have
the market, packaging the rainy periods? you checked into
requirements, delays □□ What are the high the cost of their
in payment, transport and low tempera- construction?
and logistics and legal tures for your area
requirements. and when do they
occur? Machinery and
□□ What is the average Equipment
Financial Resources daily temperature? □□ What type of farm
□□ What is the day/ power machinery
Be realistic about your night temperature do you have?
cash flow situation variation? □□ What farm im-
and plan accordingly. □□ What is the direc- plements do you
For each of the areas tion and strength have?
listed below create a of winds? □□ What is your trans-
list of the resources portation equip-
available. This will be
compared later to the Irrigation water ....continued on page 8

www.agribusiness.co.zw 6 OCTOBER 2019

Business information and tools agribusiness magazine
....continued from page 6 adequate? ered the opportu-
□□ What are your me- nity cost of using
ment: truck, pick- your own labour?
chanical skills?
up, or trailer?
Consider capacity □□ What are your
and efficiency. knowledge strong Marketing Factors
points: plant phys- □□ Do you have a
□□ Have you consid-
iology, animal preferred market-
ered leasing/rent-
health, pest man- ing method? Bro-
ing some equip-
agement, green- ker, retailer, direct
ment?
house production, (roadside stand,
□□ What are the possi- etc.?
bilities of contract- farmers market),
□□ Would you prefer cooperative, con-
ing with custom
handling a diversi- tract with proces-
operators in your
fied farm or would sors?
area?
you prefer one or □□ What is your prox-
□□ Do you have reli- two major enter-
able sources of fuel imity to various po-
prises? tential markets?
or can you stock
enough? □□ Have you contacted
Information Access potential markets
□□ Are you familiar for their advice on
Financial with the agricultur- crop selection?
al information de- □□ How much time
□□ How much capi- livery systems? are you willing to
tal are you willing/ spend marketing
□□ Are you able to ac-
able to invest? your products?
cess the resources
□□ Are you able or of these systems? □□ Do you have cool-
willing to borrow ing facilities for
□□ Is sufficient infor-
capital? perishable prod-
mation available
□□ What is your cash for the enterprises ucts?
flow situation? in which you are in- □□ Are you familiar
□□ Is a high rate of re- terested? with marketing
turn on your invest- □□ Are you willing to regulations for the
ment important to learn new skills if enterprises you are
you? they are required? considering?
□□ Are you willing to
consider risky en-
terprises? Develop a List of
Labour Factors Possible Enterpris-
□□ What are your la- es
Management
bour needs on a After identifying your
monthly basis? goals and resources,
Personal Skills □□ Are you planning to develop a list of pos-
use mostly family sible enterprises. The
□□ Management skills:
or mostly hired la- following set of ques-
record keeping,
bour? tions and the list at
personnel manage-
the end of this article
ment, budgeting, □□ Have you checked
out the regulations should help.
familiarity with tax
and other relevant of the Zimbabwean
laws - do you con- Labour Law? □□ Which enterprises
sider these to be □□ Have you consid- are predominant in
your area?
www.agribusiness.co.zw 8 OCTOBER 2019
Business information and tools agribusiness magazine
□□ Are there enter- tension office is also a □□ What is the crop’s
prises which inter- good place to start. Of adaptability to the
est you that have course, there is noth- climate during the
been successful in ing like a nearby li- intended growth
other areas in simi- brary at a local college period?
lar soil and climatic campus. □□ What is the crop’s
conditions (i.e., en- tolerance for rain-
terprises that have To the extent possible, fall, frost, high
potential in your answer the following temperatures?
area but have not questions for each en- □□ How will the cli-
yet been estab- terprise and check for matic conditions
lished)? compatibility to your during the planned
□□ What crops or live- resources as you go cropping period af-
stock have been along. Also, make note fect the physiology
raised on your land if the resources are of the crop?
in the past? not available but are
□□ Which are the en- obtainable should the
enterprise be select-
ed. An example would Rotation Consider-
terprise types with
which you feel ations
more personally be specialized harvest
compatible: live- equipment. □□ How does the crop
stock, field crops, fit into rotation
fruits, vegetables, with other crops
flowers, seedlings, Growing Consider- planned?
seed production? ations □□ How much time
from planting
General Crop Situ- through total har-
Determine Which ation vest period?
Enterprises Are □□ What will be the
Compatible with □□ What is known effect of weed
Your Resources about variety management prac-
adaptability in tices used on the
Carefully evaluate the your area? crop under consid-
potential for each of □□ About the effects eration on follow-
the enterprises on of spacing on yield ing crops?
your list. This can be and quality? □□ Is the crop suscep-
done by systematical- tible to the same
ly comparing the re- □□ What is your per-
sonal experience soil-borne diseases
source needs for each as rotation crops?
enterprise to the re- with the crop?
sources available. De- □□ What is the re- □□ Equipment Re-
termining the resource search base for the quirements
requirements for each crop under consid- □□ Is there a need for
enterprise will prob- eration? special materials
ably require a good □□ Where else is the or equipment (cul-
deal of homework. crop grown? tivation or harvest-
A good place to start □□ Is acreage increas- ing equipment,
is by talking to other ing or decreasing? storage facilities)?
growers in your area □□ What will be their
or elsewhere about cost and availabil-
their experience with Climatic Require- ity?
the enterprise you are
considering. Your Ex-
ments

www.agribusiness.co.zw 9 OCTOBER 2019

Business information and tools agribusiness magazine
Irrigation of the crop can packaged for mar-
you handle with ket? What will be
□□ How much water is the amount of la- the cost of contain-
needed? bour that you have ers?
□□ How often do you available?
need to irrigate? □□ Would it be more Marketing
□□ What type of irri- economical to buy
gation systems are or rent labour-sav- □□ Are you thorough-
recommended? ing systems, i.e., ly familiar with
mechanical trans- the market quality
□□ Does the quality of standards for the
water effect pro- planter versus
hand planting, se- crop?
duction?
lective herbicide □□ Have you studied
versus hand weed- the market history
ing, picking cars and market trends
Pollination of the crop? (Crop
which carry several
□□ Pollination prob- containers, etc.? selection should
lems for fruiting □□ Is seasonal labour not be based only
crops need to be available? on recent high
considered. market prices.)
□□ How many hives Operation and In- □□ Have you explored
will be needed? various types of
vestment Capital market outlets?
□□ How will you de-
termine hive qual- □□ How much money
ity? will need to be in-
□□ What will the rent- vested in growing Profitability
al cost be? the crop?
□□ What are the total
□□ Where will this production costs?
capital be ob-
tained? □□ What kinds of
Pest Management yields can you ex-
□□ What will be the pect?
□□ What are the im- terms of any loans
portant pest prob- (length, interest, □□ What is the ex-
lems for the crop? equity require- pected gross and
□□ Are there control ment, collateral)? net income? What
measures avail- variation in net in-
able? come can you ex-
pect?
□□ Are there varieties Harvesting
available which are □□ How does this crop
resistant to import- □□ How many har- compare to other
ant diseases of the vests are required crops? How does
crop? to obtain an eco- this crop compare
nomic yield? to livestock re-
□□ If so, do they have
turns?
good yield and □□ How is the harvest
quality character- interval affected by
istics? temperature?
□□ How long will it Analyse Compati-
take with your bility Among En-
Labour Require- available labour to terprises
ments harvest your plant-
Before making any
ing each time?
final decisions, you
□□ How many acres □□ How is the crop
must consider the re-

www.agribusiness.co.zw 10 OCTOBER 2019

Business information and tools agribusiness magazine
lationships among A range of products Partial Listing of
enterprises. You may may increase your ac- Enterprise Possi-
have enough labour cess to markets. Quite bilities For Small
to produce one enter- often a buyer is more
prise as long as you interested in a grower Farms
don’t also select an- that can supply a num- Note: Inclusion of
other labour-intensive ber of commodities an enterprise on this
enterprise. rather than having to list does not imply
buy from a number of endorsement of the
Obviously, the timing different growers. enterprise as a good
of the resource re- prospect for your farm.
quirement can be as Finally, crop rotation Each enterprise under
critical as the amount and crop mix done consideration should
of the resource re- properly have been be carefully evaluated
quired. shown to be effec- using enterprise selec-
tive methods of pest tion tools and in con-
A monthly chart of re- control and increas- sultation with appro-
source needs for each ing soil fertility. These priate advisors.
enterprise may be production practices
helpful. include such things as □□ Livestock
inter-cropping, cover □□ Bees (honey, polli-
There are several ad- crops and green ma- nators, queen rear-
vantages to having nure crops. ing, etc.)
several enterprises
within one farm busi- After you have de- □□ Chickens (eggs for
ness. First of all, you veloped a final list go eating, hatching)
are reducing risk. The back and review your □□ Ducks (rare breeds)
chances of production goals. Make sure that □□ Earthworms
failure and/or poor the long run and short □□ Fish (food fish, bait,
prices are lower when run goals are going to pets, fingerlings for
spread out over sever- be met with your plan. stocking)
al commodities. Your Do not be discouraged □□ Goats (milk, meat,
cash flow and profit by how demanding wool)
will probably be less this process is. Enter-
variable from year to prise selection for a □□ Pigeons
year in a diversified farm should not be any □□ Rabbits (meat,
operation. simpler than a major pelts, pets)
decision for any busi- □□ Sheep (meat, wool)
Next, diversification ness. The effort put □□ Forestry
done correctly will into research should □□ Avocados
mean spreading fixed be directly related to
costs out over more the amount of capital □□ Citrus
commodities. It will at risk and the poten- □□ Dwarf Fruit Trees
also mean using re- tial rewards. Remem- □□ Pears
sources more evenly ber that playing what □□ Pomegranates
throughout the year. if on paper is always □□ Blueberries
This may be helpful less risky and less time
if you are relying on consuming than exper- □□ Cane Berries
hired labour and can imenting in the field (blackberries, rasp-
berries, etc.)
offer an employee when you are not well
work for a longer peri- prepared. □□ Grapes
od of time. □□ Kiwis
□□ Strawberries

www.agribusiness.co.zw 11 OCTOBER 2019

Business information and tools agribusiness magazine
□□ Vegetable Crops varieties) □□ Mushrooms (exot-
□□ Amaranth □□ Mustard Greens ic varieties)
□□ Asparagus □□ Okra □□ Oil Crops (sun-
□□ Beans (Any fresh □□ Onions (green, flower)
shelling) special varieties) □□ Seed production
□□ Black-eyed Peas □□ Parsley □□ Other Ideas
□□ Broccoli □□ Parsnips □□ Custom Machine
□□ Cabbage (special □□ Peas(sugar) Operation
varieties) □□ Peppers (bell, □□ Farm Manage-
□□ Carrots (special chili) ment Services
varieties) □□ Pumpkins □□ Specialized Ser-
□□ Cauliflower vices
□□ Shallots
□□ Cucumbers □□ Transportation
□□ Squash
□□ Dandelion Greens □□ Butchery
□□ String Beans
□□ Eggplant □□ Tomatoes (fresh ____________
□□ Garlic (regular, el- market, cherry) UC Small farm program
ephant, braids) □□ Turnips
□□ Kale □□ Watermelons
□□ Leeks □□ Cut Flowers
□□ Lettuce □□ Seedlings
□□ Melons (special □□ Hay (small bales)

www.agribusiness.co.zw 12 OCTOBER 2019

Business information and tools agribusiness magazine

Bank Loan / Credit Application

Process
F armers who want
to establish or ex-
pand their farming
ate income. bilities (financial
standing)
(They can lend you □□ Present and
operations can obtain money to buy equip- expected income
finance from commer- ment and vehicles, to (cash flow)
cial banks. It is, how- buy land and animals □□ Risks involved and
ever, important that or to install irrigation how you plan to
they understand the and water pumps, or cover these
terms and conditions other farm develop-
of credit, e.g. what ments etc.). □□ Knowledge of the
credit is and repay- industry in which
ment requirements. The bank will, there- you want to get
fore, want to know involved.
how the credit is going
What is credit and to be used and what Ask your accounting
why do you need your financial position officer or agribusiness
is (assets and liabili- consultant to assist
it? ties). It is important you to compile this in-
Credit is money bor- to provide your bank formation.
rowed from someone with this information
or from an institution to enable them to as-
by agreement with the sess your net worth When and how
intention or promise (financial standing). much can you
to pay it back at a later To determine wheth- borrow?
date, with or without er one needs credit or
interest. Commercial Know the purpose for
not, some financial as-
banks can grant credit which you are bor-
pects must be looked
to farmers for specific rowing money, for
into:
purposes, especially example, to improve
those who can gener- the performance or
□□ Assets and lia- increase the survival
www.agribusiness.co.zw 13 OCTOBER 2019
Business information and tools agribusiness magazine
capacity of your farm- Property which is pre- your proposal, nego-
ing operations. Do not sented as collateral tiate the possible loan
apply for credit for a must meet certain re- terms and to develop
project which will gen- quirements: a good business re-
erate too little income lationship with your
to cover the interest □□ It must be identifi- bank manager—pre-
and the capital (mon- able and not per- pare the presentation
ey borrowed) repay- ishable of your loan request
ments. □□ It must be in a beforehand. The bank
saleable condition manager will tell you
Therefore, the expect- after the interview
ed net income (in- □□ The bank must be whether your applica-
able to estimate

“
come left over after all tion was successful or
expenses have been its market value not.
deducted, except tax □□ It must be your
and interest) will give own property Agribusiness Consultant Repaying the
a good indication of
how much debt the Repaying the loan loan with-
project will be able to within a given time
carry. limit will improve your
in a given
creditworthiness and time limit
Generally, when ap- credibility with the
plying for credit, make bank and save on in- will improve
sure that your debt is terest charges.
not more than 30 % your credit-
of your current assets
and 25 % of the ex- How to apply
worthiness
pected income. Once you have identi- and credi-
fied why you have to
borrow money, you
bility with
Repaying the bank can go to your near- the bank
Before any commer- est bank and fill in
cial bank can grant a application forms or and save
loan, it determines ask your Agribusiness
whether your income Consultant to assist
on interest
exceeds your costs to you. Your application charges.
”
such an extent that should contain all the
there will be enough relevant information
money to repay the because it forms the
loan and to cover basis for loan approv-
household expenses. al.

The bank will ask for After submitting the

a collateral or security forms, the bank will
for the loan. A collater- call you in for an in-
al or security is prop- terview. (Take an Agri-
erty pledged as securi- business Consultant
ty for the loan. Should who knows your busi-
you fail to repay your ness well with you.)
loan, the bank will re-
possess your property During the interview
and sell it to realise its you will be given a
security. chance to motivate

www.agribusiness.co.zw 14 OCTOBER 2019

Business information and tools agribusiness magazine

Maize Production Gross Margin Budget (Interactive)

Item Per Hectare Unit Cost/ Unit Total

Sales/ Ha ton 0.00

Costs of production/ Ha
Seed 25 kg 0.00

Fertilizer
Basal dressing 400 kg 0.00
To dressing 450 kg 0.00
Lime 500 kg 0.00

Herbicides
Atrazine 3 ltr 0.00
Metalachlor 1.5 ltr 0.00
Halosulfuron 50 g 0.00
Nicosulfuron 45 g 0.00

Pesticides
Dipterex 2.5G 4 kg 0.00
Bavistin WP/Benomyl 50 WP 750 g 0.00

Grain storage and packaging

Grain protectant g 0.00

Labour 20 day 0.00

Machinery
Harvesting
Tractor hire tillage $/ha 0.00
Tractor hire planter $/ha 0.00

Transport hire 50km radius 8 ton 0.00

Income from sales 0.00

Costs of production 0.00
Gross margin -1,400.00RESET FIELDS

Note
DELETE cell content to RESET a field for accuracy.

www.agribusiness.co.zw 15 OCTOBER 2019

Crops agribusiness magazine

An Introduction to Growing
Groundnuts
G roundnuts have
over the past cen-
turies been a celebrat-
based on cost more than
ever hence the need for
Zimbabwean growers to
growth tempera-
ture ranges from 20 °C
to 35 °C. However, at 33
ed favourite legume in obtain a low production °C this declines to 84%. A
Zimbabwe. Groundnuts cost. favourable temperature
generally can be grown for flowering and pod
in most soil types how- Climatic requirements formation is about 28 °C.
ever climatic conditions
and soil nutrients have Higher altitudes with
Temperature
a huge bearing on the cooler climates are not
yield output. Groundnuts require a suitable for groundnut
high temperature and production. Avoid plant-
Groundnuts in Zimba- a frost-free period of ing in dry soil and irrigat-
bwe can be grown for about 160 days. They ing during cold spells or
both commercial pur- will not reach optimum planting in cold, wet soil.
poses and domestic pur- maturity for a market-
poses. The commercial able yield to justify com- Rainfall and moisture
production is further mercial production in requirements
classified into two sep- areas with fewer heat
arate markets which are units during the growing Moisture is another crit-
the vegetable market season. ical factor for successful
and the food processing groundnut production.
market. The Peanut but- They are very sensitive Planting must be done
ter manufacturing indus- to low temperatures on moist warm soils to
try is the most popular and seeds should only speed-up the germina-
for the latter. be planted when the tion process. Research
minimum temperature has shown poor ger-
This guideline seeks to stabilises above 18 °C. mination in drier soils.
equip growers to be Germination is 95% at Available soil moisture
able to efficiently grow soil temperatures rang- content is also commen-
ground nuts. Commod- ing from 18 °C to 30 °C.
ity competition is now The suitable vegetative ....continued on page 17

www.agribusiness.co.zw 16 OCTOBER 2019

Crops agribusiness magazine
....continued from page 16 mum till system. This hectare under dry land
cannot be recommend- and 300 000 plants per
surate with row width. ed as the soil layer where hectare under irrigation.
Wider rows are advis- the pods develop should The best spacing be-
able in low-rainfall ar- be devoid of plant res- tween rows under rain-
eas while the opposite idue. Where plant resi- fed conditions should be
is true in higher-rainfall due is present, pods rot 90 cm with a spacing of 4
areas. Rainfall in the re- diseases increase, influ- cm to 7 cm between the
gion of 500 to 700 mm encing yield and quality. plants; and 30 cm to 35
per annum will be satis- For successful ground- cm under irrigation. The
factory for good yields of nut production, deep ideal intra row spacing
groundnuts. ploughing should be im- is between 50 to 75 mm
plemented. for all available cultivars.
Soil requirements
Field layout and design Fertilisation
Groundnuts grow best
in well-drained, red-co- The slope should be fa- One may apply basal
loured, yellow-red and vourable and the field fertiliser of Windmill’s
red, fertile, sandy to san- should be well-protect- Compound C (5:15:12)
dy loam soils with a pH ed from soil erosion at a rate of 250 kg/ha or
range of 5, 5 to 7, 0. Sa- through the construc- alternatively Windmill’s
line soils are not suitable tion of contours and field Compound L (4:17:11).
because groundnuts waterways. Avoid using If these two cannot be
have a very low salt tol- fields with too much found, one may then ap-
erance. clay and fields that were ply Compound D (7:14:7)
planted to groundnuts as a basal fertiliser how-
Soils with more than 20% the previous year. The ever this should be done
clay and stones will result field should be protect- as a last resort. After
in poor yield and make ed from soil erosion by 8-12 weeks after plant-
harvesting difficult. Shal- means of contour ridges ing, it is recommended
low and compacted soils and waterway channels. that one applies Calcium
are not preferred as the Sulphate/ Gypsum at a
taproot of groundnuts Planting
rate of 560 kg/ha.
can penetrate to the soil The planting date for
to a depth of about 2 m. groundnuts in Zimba-
Irrigation
bwe should be as soon
as enough rain has fall- Most of the cultivated
Soil preparation en and minimum tem- groundnuts in Zimba-
peratures are met, usu- bwe are under dry land.
Seedbeds should be pre- ally from mid-October Irrigation can be done
pared either on flat or to mid-November. Late in areas with limited soil
widely ridged fields. Pri- planting (from Decem- moisture/low rainfall ar-
mary soil cultivation is ber onwards) results in eas so that production
necessary on virgin soils lower yields. Planting and quality can be max-
or any other soil type should occur during fa- imised. The irrigation
to remove debris and vourable soil and weath- method will depend on
break the plough layer. er conditions. Planting the available water re-
A uniform seedbed with depths of 5 cm to 7.5 cm sources and the avail-
sufficient planting depth are preferred for better able irrigation equip-
and spacing, good germi- germination when soil ment. Avoid application
nation, weed control and temperature is 18 oC of excess moisture by
sufficient moisture re- or above. The correct ensuring that scheduled
tention is imperative for planting depth of 5 cm to irrigation is practiced. A
good yields. All plant res- 7.5 cm ensures that the great deal of moisture is
idues should be incorpo- plant develops and pro- needed before flowering
rated well into the soil. duces optimally. The pre- and during pod filling
Producers often grow ferred population densi- (moderate during flow- Ground nuts
groundnuts in a mini- ty is 150 000 plants per ering and no application

www.agribusiness.co.zw 17 OCTOBER 2019

Crops agribusiness magazine
is required during ripen- on the species of weeds
ing). involved and the level of Cutworms
Weed control infestation. Below is a Decis 3.5 EC
table with recommend-
Groundnut is susceptible ed Herbicides:
to a wide range of weeds
Aphids
that are in severe com-
Dimethoate 40 EC
petition with it for avail- Broad leaf weeds
able soil moisture, soil Basagran 48 EC
nutrients, light, space,
etc., and others which
serve as hosts for diseas- Seed Borne diseases
Grasses, Broadleaf and damping off
es. weeds and Nustedge
Weeds can result in low Vitavax Plus and Thi-
Dual 960 EC/ Meta- ram 80 WP
yield and poor quality of lachlor , Alachlor/
the groundnut seeds, as Lasso
well as making harvest-
ing difficult. Therefore, Cercospora and Leaf
an integrated system, spot
ranging from the chem- Grasses Benomyl 50 WP/
ical and mechanical to Agil 100 EC Bavistin, Folicur
the biological, should
be used in order to pre-
vent weed suppression. Disease and pest control
Diseases in groundnuts Phoma Leaf rust
Effective weed control Chlorothalonil 50 SC/
implies good control of can be classified as leaf,
stem and pod diseases, Bravo
weeds throughout the
growing season. and particular viral dis-
eases are also encoun-
tered. The most prev- Stem rot
Mechanical: Three me-
alent diseases remain Benomyl 50 WP
chanical weeding op-
erations are important early leaf spot and Scle-
(assuming no herbicides rotium stem rot.
are applied). The first is Root Stimulant
done prior to emergence These diseases are both Kelpak
of seedlings, which is difficult to control. Early
usually about seven days leaf spot is recognisable
after planting. by the brown spots on
Other cultivation prac-
the leaves which are
tices
The second one will surrounded by a yel-
be performed at 21 to low halo. Stem rot may Rotational benefits
28 days after planting, be identified by the Groundnuts, like oth-
while the last cultivation white mycelium (fungal er annual legumes in a
is dependent on weed growth). in the stems, rotation, offer several
growth, but should not pegs and pods. Both cropping advantages for
be delayed later than 60 diseases are particular- the producer. Ground-
days after planting. ly devastating when the nut yields often increase
weather is warm and the when the crop is planted
Chemical: soil is moist. after non-legumes be-
Chemical weed control cause of the following
is also recommended on Below are tables which factors:
groundnuts. Several her- show how best to chem-
bicides are registered for ically deal with Insects
and diseases. ■■ Disease and insect
utilisation; however, the
cycles become dis-
choice of herbicide and Ground nut farm
the concentration ap- rupted.
plied will largely depend ■■ Alternative her-

www.agribusiness.co.zw 18 OCTOBER 2019

Crops agribusiness magazine
bicides can be tion and observation to can influence the
used to kill grassy determine harvest ma- determination of
weeds. turity, namely: the harvest date
■■ Soil nutrients are ■■ Pod colour—in- because they in-
used efficiently. ner walls display fluence quality.
a dark-brown co- Drought deter-
lour as a result mines the harvest
Inoculation
of darkening of date when the
Groundnut is a legumi- the inner tissue soil is desiccated
nous crop, and it has of the hull. When to such an extent
the ability to fix 60% to 75% of the pods that the plant
70% of its nitrogen re- withers and the
quirement from the at-
of the selected
number of plants seeds in the pods
mosphere under ideal
have reached ma- begin to shrivel
conditions.
turity by showing and take on a ripe
Groundnut has a very the dark discolor- appearance.
specific relationship ation, harvesting
with Rhizobium bacteria can start. The out- Such groundnuts must
and it is essential that be harvested immedi-
er wall of the pods
an inoculant should be ately.
should display
used. Under good grow- various shades on
ing conditions, ground- the inner cell lay- Harvesting methods
nut is considered a rel-
atively good nitrogen
er when scraped
with a knife. The MECHANICAL
fixer, provided that it is
inoculated with an ap- colours are white The digger-shaker-wind-
propriate strain of Rhi- on the immature rower is used to lift
zobium. and yellow pods, groundnuts and detach
and orange, light them from the soil. Dig
Other practices include brown or black deep enough to prevent
inter-cropping, use of on mature pods. cutting pegs. Wind-
good cover crops to im- Harvesting can row-inverting attach-
prove the soil, organic ments orient plants as
be done if 70% of they leave the shaker
matter management, the pods show the
construction of diver- so pods are primarily on
sion ditches, tilling and
other colours ex- the top of windrows to
planting along contours, cept white. permit greater air cir-
construction of terraces, ■■ Seed colour—the culation and exposure
conservation tillage and colour of seeds in to sunlight for a shorter
improving soil drainage. drying time. Windrowed
the pods can also groundnuts could be
be used as an in- combine-harvested wet
Harvesting dication. Young, (35% to 50% moisture),
Harvest maturity In or-
immature seed is semidry (18% to 25%),
der to determine the usually white in or dry (8% to 10%).
best harvest date, a colour and chang- These pods could reach
farmer must scout his/ es to pink and dull a semidry condition
her crops on a regular pink as the seed (seeds rattle in pods)
basis, as the groundnut matures. one to three days after
plant usually gives an digging. Drying in the
indication of when to
■■ L e a v e s — t h e windrow to a moisture
harvest. The number of leaves develop a level of 8% to 10% re-
days to maturity varies yellow colour and quires five to ten days
with cultivars. There are dry at the tips. of good drying weather.
Sprouting ground nut seed
are some characteristics ■■ Prevailing weather However, groundnuts
that require close atten- conditions—these ....continued on page 21

www.agribusiness.co.zw 19 OCTOBER 2019

 Good marketing
makes the company
look smart.
GREAT MARKETING
makes the customer
feel SMART.

info@agribusiness.co.zw

agribusinesstalk@gmail.com
Crops agribusiness magazine
....continued from page 19 soil surface with correct picker. The
a “blade” imple- method of picking
remaining in windrows ment normally at a involves remov-
for several days are more depth of 10 cm to ing the pods from
susceptible to weather
15 cm. the entire plant.
damage than those that
are freshly extracted. ■■ The stacking pro- Plants are fed into
Combining wet (green) cess: After several the picker and the
or preferably semidry hours, groundnuts shells are separat-
groundnuts, followed can be packed ed from the plants.
by artificial drying, could into bundles and Close monitoring
result in better-quality
stacked. It is im- of the process is

“
nuts. Adjust combines necessary in order
regularly to give bet- portant to shake
off loose soil be- to detect any de-
ter picking action when faults that could
vines are tough, and fore stacking. The
reduce picking action stacks are formed affect the quality
of the kernels.
The commer-
when vines are dry, to with a core of 15
obtain good picking ef- to 40 plants placed ■■ Shelling: Hand-op- cial production
ficiency and minimise
mechanical damage to
on their leaves
with the pods
erated machines
are available for is further clas-
the hulls. facing upward. A
properly formed
shelling ground-
nuts pods. Pods
sified into two
MANUAL stack will not lodge should be cleaned separate mar-
or become damp before being fed
This method involves
very careful operations when it rains. The into the sheller. kets which are
that, if improperly done,
could result in some
stacks are then left
on the land for four
Close monitoring
to avoid quality the vegetable
groundnuts being lost in
the soil.
to eight weeks for
final ripening and
loss is also import-
ant during shelling
market and
■■ Lifting or loosen- moisture loss be-
For inquiries contact:
the food pro-
fore being picked.
ing the ground-
nuts: This involves Picking and shell- ndebele@windmill.co.zw
or hove@windmill.co.zw
cessing mar-

”
severing of the ing: This should
be done with the ket.
taproot below the

www.agribusiness.co.zw 21 OCTOBER 2019

 Ox Drawn Cultivator

Triangle Harrow

Ox Drawn Plough

ZFC Fertilizer
Ammonium Nitrate,
Maize Seed MRI624 Agriseeds ZAP61 Compound C
5kg,10kg 10kg,25kg

Maize Seed SC72 Knapsack Sprayer

Maize Seed SC513 16ℓ
Maize Seed SC637 Atrazine
2kg,5kg,10kg,20kg 1ℓ ,5ℓ, 20ℓ Termite Poison 5ℓ
Crops agribusiness magazine

Vegetables Planting Calendar

www.agribusiness.co.zw 23 OCTOBER 2019

 PPC Cement Larfage Cement Door Frame
Unicem, Surecast Supaset, PC15 115mm,230mm

Glyphosate DPC Window Frames

1ℓ,5ℓ 115mm,230mm C1H,C2H,C4H

SPLASH Dulux Acrylic PVA Roto Twine Baler Twine

Roof Seal 500g, 1kg 20ℓ 5kg 5kg

Black Sheeting Twine T2

125mic 3m Wide 2kg Gumboots Rain Suits /Raincoats
Livestock
Egg Nutrition, Quality and
Preservation
Hen’s egg consists of
three main parts, the
shell, the egg white
and the egg yolk. The
shell consists of calcite
crystals embedded in a
matrix of proteins and
polysaccharide com-
plex.
Inside the shell the vis-
cous colourless liquid
called the egg white
accounts for about 60
per cent of the total
egg weight.
Eggs have high nutri-
tional value. Eggs may
be used as thickening
agents, binding and co-
agulating agents, coat-
ings, foaming agents,
emulsifiers, shorten-
ing agents, flavouring
agents and colorant in
a variety of food prod-
ucts.
Egg Composition
www.agribusiness.co.zw
agribusiness magazine
present in egg
white.
Ovalbumin
This constitutes
55% of the proteins
of egg white. This is a
phospho glycoprotein
Percentage distribu- and is composed of
tion of weight three components A1,
A2, and A3, which dif-
fer only in phosphorus
content.
Conalbumin
This constitutes 13%
protein of the egg al-
bumin. It consists of
two forms neither of
Egg white is composed which contains phos-
of thin and thick por- phorus nor sulphur.
tions. 20-25% of the
total white of fresh
eggs (1-5 days old) is Ovamucoid
thin white. The chief It is a glycoprotein.
constituents of egg This constitutes about
white besides water 10% of the egg white
are proteins. Different proteins.
types of proteins are
25 OCTOBER 2019
Livestock agribusiness magazine
Ovomucin Percentage composi-
This protein is respon- tion of egg yolk on dry
sible for the jelly like weight basis
character of egg white
and the thickness of
he albumin. It contains
2% of the egg white. Its * +360 mg of vitamin A
content in he thick lay- EVALUATION OF EGG
ers of albumin is about
4 times more than in
thin layers. It is insolu- QUALITY
ble in water but soluble
in dilute salt solution. Candling
Lysozyme The quality of the egg
in the shell is evaluated
3.5% of the egg white by candling. The egg is
protein is lysozyme. held up to an open-
This is an enzyme ca- ing behind which is a
pable of lysing or dis- source of strong light.
solving the cell of wall
of bacteria. It is com-
posed of 3 components Candling will reveal
A, B and C. It binds bio- ■■ A crack in the shell.
tin and makes the vita- The major proteins in ■■ The size of the air
egg yolk are lipopro-

“
min unavailable. cell.
teins, which include
Avidin lipovitellins and lipovi- ■■ The firmness of
Avidin is 0.05% of the tellinin. albumin. Eggs have a
egg white protein. It is ■■ The position and high nutri-
mobility of yolk
denatured by heat and The lipoproteins are tional value.

”
cooked eggs do not af- responsible for the and
fect the availability of excellent emulsifying ■■ The possible
biotin. properties of egg yolk, presence of for-
Ovoglobulin when it is used in such eign substances
products as mayon- like blood spots,
It is a protein consist- naise. moulds and devel-
ing of two components oping embryo.
G1 and G2 and both
are excellent foaming Fatty acid composition Floating in water
agents. of egg yolk
If the egg sinks it is
Ovoinhibitor considered as good.
Poor quality egg floats
0.1% of egg protein (due to increase in air
is made up of ovoin- cell). It shows that the
hibitor. It is another egg floating in water
protein capable of in- has lost in weight due
hibiting trypsin and to dehydration.
chymotrypsin.
Haughs unit
Egg yolk NUTRITIVE VALUE OF
EGG /100 g Good quality egg has
Solid content of yolk is 72 haugh units and as
about 50%. the quality deterio-
rates it comes down to

www.agribusiness.co.zw 26 OCTOBER 2019
Livestock agribusiness magazine
36-60. proteins are denatured in desirable condition
White index and then gradually only if the storage
aggregate to form a room is well controlled
The height of the three-dimensional get as to humidity, 85-90%
thickest portion of the network. Ovalbumin circulation of air and
white is divided by the the main protein in free from objection-
diameter of the egg egg white is a globular able odours. Eggs may
gives white index. protein denatured by retain quality as long
Yolk index heat. The range in tem- as 6 months in cold
peratures over which storage. Before being
Measurement of the coagulation takes placed in cold storage,
height of the yolk in place varies with the eggs may be dipped in
relation to the width of rate of heating. Heat- light mineral oil.
the yolk gives the yolk ing on egg much be-
index. Drying
yond this temperature
Grading shrinks and toughens It is a satisfactory
the coagulum of the method for preserv-
The interior quality of ing eggs, either whole
the egg deteriorates white.
or as separated yolks
from the time it is said PRESERVATION OF or whites. Spray dried
to until it is consumed. EGGS egg white and egg yolk
With proper care, has long shelf life.
however, this decline Freezing
in quality can be mini- Egg breaking, separa-
mised. tion and pasteuriza- Agribusiness Talk
indiaagront
Deterioration during tion and freezing are
storage the steps involved.
____
whole egg or yolk, in
Fertile eggs get dete- contrast, can be pas-
riorated more rapidly teurized at 60 – 61.5
than infertile eggs. De- for 3.5 -4.0 minutes.,
terioration takes place without significant
as physical and chem- changes in physical
ical changes takes and functional prop-
place. erties. the pasteurized
whole or separated
Egg white becomes eggs are placed in cans
less viscous and or suitable container
spreads rapidly. and frozen in sharp
freezer room with cir-
The size of the air cell culating air at -29 .
and volume increases. freezing may take from
about 48 to 72 hours.
Loss of water, carbon Eggs are pasteurized
dioxide, protein break to kill all Salmonella
down, egg flavour de- organisms.
teriorates.
Cold storage
Bacterial decomposi- Eggs are usually stored
tion takes place. at –1.5 to 0 which is
Effect of heat on the just above their freez-
egg proteins ing point. Only eggs of
high quality should be
Upon heating the egg stored. They remain

www.agribusiness.co.zw 27 OCTOBER 2019

www.agribusiness.co.zw 28 OCTOBER 2019
Fun and Games agribusiness magazine

There are seven differences between these pictures. Can you spot them?

www.agribusiness.co.zw 29 OCTOBER 2019

Market agribusiness magazine

Market Update
Please Note: Prices may not be up to date, please verify with contacts given below

Product Buyer (s) Price (RTGS) Contact

Maize GMB 4 000.00 0242-701885-99

GMB 4 800.00 0242-701885-99

Sugarbeans PHI 10 000.00 0773381825

Taflo 15 375.00 0775386077

Rapoko GMB 4 000.00 0242-704538

Millet GMB 4 000.00 0242-701885-99

GMB 4 000.00 0242-701885-99

Staywell 8 000.00 0772235558

Soyabeans Taflo 4 200.00 0775386077

PHI 5 200.00 0773381825

Hyperfeeds 6 000.00 0778 828 849

Delta 0712614158
Sorghum
GMB 4 000.00 0242-701885-99

Wheat GMB 1 089.68 0242-701885-99

GMB
1 000 -2 000.00 0242-701885-99
(unshelled)
Ground Taflo(shelled) 7 526.00 0775386077
nuts
Tabacha
7 500.00 0777439874
(unshelled)

E&OE
www.agribusiness.co.zw 30 OCTOBER 2019
Crops in Agriculture
Women agribusiness magazine

160 Hydro farm

M y name is a Ven-
ensia Mukarati, a
holder of a Bachelor
There is something ad-
dictive about planting
a seed, watching it
As a female pioneer
in Hydroponics in Zim-
babwe, I learnt that
in Technology De- germinate and grow, it is not a challenge
gree in Accounting this has been a huge to build up an idea.
from the University of drive in seeing through Women in farming

“
Zimbabwe, a Master’s my hobby of farming. need new innovative
Degree in Business The journey of hydro- ideas and this project
Studies from Glouces- ponics farming has is heading in the right
teshire University in been thrilling and full direction. It’s easy There is
the United Kingdom a of learning experienc- to set up and run. A
mother of two daugh- es and experiments. great way for females something
ters and the founder
of 160 HydroFarm Zim-
I now have 5 running
systems and am
that need their own
project and income. I addictive
babwe. I have always
had a passion for
expanding in my own
backyard. I started
conduct trainings on
hydroponics. Howev- about plant-
farming from a young
age.
with only iceberg
lettuce and they now
er, during March and
April 2019 my trainings
ing a seed,
My girls have seen me
have 5 lettuce variet-
ies, herbs, tomatoes
will be for women only
to hopefully empow-
watching it
growing our food but I
wanted a new meth-
and micro-greens. er and inspire more
women.
germinate
od that could be easy My products are be-
and grow

”
to run and commer- ing supplied to a few
cialize as well as lure outlets including Kava
them into farming. Supermarket Willow- I am proud to say
Which I have man- mead and Hometown 160 HydroFarm’s
aged successfully, Sam Levy’s as well as journey is only just
after I stumbled upon some really supportive
Aquaponics which individuals who are in
beginning and we
led to the discovery of love with fresh greens. are ecstatic!
Hydroponics.
____ women in agric

www.agribusiness.co.zw 31 OCTOBER 2019

 ?
The
Agribusiness WHAT IS GAP
Expert
Answers

The Agri- consumption, from farm-

to-fork. Food can be con-
erence for horticultural
products that are “clean”,
EVOLVED IN RECENT
YEARS IN

business Ex- taminated at any point in

the food chain and such
principally freedom from
chemicals -- i.e. pesticides. THE CONTEXT OF A
RAPIDLY CHANGING
pert says....
contamination can com- Exporters must be pre-
promise the safety of the pared to service the distant AND GLOBALIZING
consumer. As such there markets that they deliver food economy and as a
is an imperative need to to. Supermarket chains result of the concerns and
apply a whole chain ap- are rapidly becoming the commitments of a wide
GAP stands for Good Ag- proach, achieving uniform dominant force and will range of stakeholders
ricultural Practices. food safety requirements significantly influence the about food production and
in the food industry. range of products that are security, food safety and
The food industry is aware quality and the environ-
marketed.
that food safety involves There is a clear emergence mental sustainability of ag-
every link in the food in the market of a pref- The concept of GAP HAS riculture.
chain from production to
GAP are a collection of
principles to apply for
on-farmproduction pro-
cesses resulting in safe
and healthy food and non-
food agricultural products
while taking into account
economic, social and en-
vironmental sustainability.

It requires gaining and

maintaining an under-
standing of production
techniques and systems for
each of the major agro-eco-
logical area (eco-region).

Application of GAP in-

cludes various areas, such
as food safety, environ-
mental safety (addressing
soil, water, air, native veg-
etation and animal safety),
sustainability of the oper-
ations and workers’ health
and safety__

FAO

www.agribusiness.co.zw 32 OCTOBER 2019

www.agribusiness.co.zw 33 OCTOBER 2019