Zambia Agribusiness Society

We know that buying a tractor is a big investment. Like any other investment, you want to make sure it lasts and proves a worthwhile decision. Tractor maintenance is one of the best ways to do so. Below are some helpful maintenance tips: 1. Proper Winter Storage and Care One of the most important tips in taking care of your tractor is keeping it out of the elements. Make sure that the seat, instrument panel and metal components are covered during harsh weather. 2. Keep Fluids Topped Off Checking fluids is also essential to the health of your tractor. Make sure the engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant level, hydraulic oil, battery electrolytes and filters are checked regularly. 3. Don’t Overload Another important component to tractor maintenance is not overloading. Most tractors have a recommended size attachment. Make sure not to exceed this recommendation. This is where we will be ending our discussion for today. Do you have any questions or other forms of contribut

Take note that this write up is based on 1 hectare and the prices attached are subject to change depending on the time of purchase and this is just a guide for farmers that want maximum production. 1. Seed: We have different types of seed varieties on the market, contact seed companies for different types of varieties available. If you can’t avoid to buy certified seed, you can also plant recycled seed which we call farm seed, below are some recommended certified seed varieties: a)     Spike b)     Safari c)     Dina d)     Lukanga e)     Kafue Seed Price : K650 to K700 per 25kg. Seed requirement per hectare is 100kg that’s 4 of the 25kg bags. Total price of seed per ha is K700 × 4 = K2, 800/ha which will be spent for seed purchase in a hectare. 2. Inoculation It is important that Soya bean seed is inoculated with an inoculant . The inoculant will assist the Soya bean fix its own nitrogen into the soil, this in turn will help you not to apply  top-dressing (urea

Earthen ponds 1. Earthen ponds are more comfortable and different varieties of fish survive in them more than other ponds. 2. These ponds also enhance the quality of the fish in terms of taste and also allows farmers to use any type of feed. 3. They solve the problem of water pollution. 4. Fish grow faster in earthen ponds compared to other aquaculture structures. These benefits can only be attained if you get your ponds constructed by experts!!

Aspergillosis is a non-contagious respiratory disease caused by a fungal species known as Aspergillus. Commonly referred to as mycotic pneumonia, brooder pneumonia, or fungal pneumonia, Aspergillosis affects chickens, ducks, turkeys, waterfowl, game birds, and many other bird species. Etiology: The fungus causing Aspergillosis in poultry is Aspergillus fumigatus. Transmission: Transmission is by inhalation of fungus spores from contaminated litter (e.g. wood shavings, straw) or contaminated feed. Hatcheries may also contribute to infection of the chicks. Epidemiology: Young chickens are very susceptible. Older chickens are more resistant to infection. Turkey poults, pheasants, quails, ducklings, and goslings may also become infected. Clinical Signs: Infected chickens show signs of: 1.     Depression and thirst. 2.     Gasping and rapid breathing can be observed. 3.     Fever. 4.     Inappetence. 5.     Emaciation. 6.     Mortality is variable, from 5 to 50%. 7.     Gross lesions involv

Butternut belongs to the cucurbit family of vegetable crops. It falls under the botanical group of Cucurbita moschata. The crop is a very nutritious vegetable whose fruit can be used with rice dishes and for making starter dishes such as soups. Butternut is a potential cash crop as it has a long shelf life. 1. Soils Butternut can be grown successfully on a wide range of soils. Fertile soils with adequate drainage are ideal as butternut is quite sensitive to oxygen deficiency in the soils. The ideal soils are sandy loams or silty loams which warm up rapidly. 2. Rainfall Water requirement is very high but high humidity encourages leaf disease and may affect flower production. The frequency of irrigation is largely dependent on soil type and weather conditions. Generally, for sandy soils in dry weather, the field should be irrigated at least every other day if not more often. The best test for the need of irrigation is to dig down and squeeze a handful of soil. If soil comes apart

The primary reason for one to set up a business of any kind is to realise profits. Careful planning, judicious and methodical execution of the plan always precedes the successful realisation of good returns for every dollar, time and effort invested in the business. The farming business is no exception to this rule and like any other venture it ascribes religiously to these tenets. Whilst it remains true that there is money in farming, it should however be borne in mind that the money is only extracted by those individuals who carefully approach the farming business from the correct angle, with the right attitude and readiness to invest a good measure of patience. The discussion that follows hereafter seeks to single out some of the major considerations that a new farmer should look into when starting a new farming business. Land Size & Tenure The maximum extent of the farm in question has a lot of bearing on the type of farming as well the nature of projects possible on that piece

1. Deep ploughing allows good drainage and good microbial activities as well as free air circulation, also reduce soil pan and allows the roots to penetrate everywhere, hence bringing more food to the plant. 2. Making raised platforms will increase your yield. You can harvest up to a period of six to seven months depending with the variety. 3. Dig holes of in-row spacing of about 90cm. 4. Apply decayed materials. Grass, crop residues, cover with soil, apply manure be it poultry or livestock, mix with soil, buy Orgfert garden C apply at cup number ten, mix again with soil, water for two weeks before planting. 5. Before planting or on the day of planting drench with lamda, Decis, chlorphyrifos or Catap, then plant. Water every day for seven days during evening or early in the morning. Note : That watering depends with the type of soil. First week spray preventative fungicides like copper, Bravo. Second week spray malathion, Dimathoate or acertercyre. Leave third week observing. At the en

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) or Gumboro disease is a highly contagious disease of young chickens caused by infectious bursal disease virus characterized by immunosuppression and mortality. Young birds at around 2 to 8 weeks of age that have highly active bursa of Fabricius are more susceptible to the disease. Birds over 8 weeks are resistant to challenges and will not show clinical signs unless infected by highly virulent strains. Infection is through oral-fecal route (when the bird ingests contaminated faeces). Acute disease and death is due to the destructive effect of the virus on the host tissues. Kidney failure is a common cause of death in affected bird. If the bird survives, it remains immunocompromised which means it is more susceptible to other diseases. Clinical signs: 1.     Disease may appear suddenly and spread typically reaches 100%. 2.     Mortality commences on the third day of infection, reaches a peak by day 4, then drops rapidly, and the surviving chickens recover