Zambia Agribusiness Society

The most grown watermelon type and highly Market demanded is the Zebra type with dark green stripes. ·          Oblong in shape ·          Average fruit weight 6 – 15kg ·          Deep red flesh, crispy & firm ·          Good shelf life for long distance transport ·          Yield potential of 18g 25 tons per acre Maturity it's takes 60 – 90 days to maturity depending on the area grown. 1. Climatic Requirements ·          Long, warm growing periods ·          -Bright, hot days (27 – 35ºC) ·          Warm nights (16 – 21ºC) ·          Cool Temp. & Excessive. Delay germination, Slows growth, and poor fruit setting, hallow fruit ·          High humidity: Susceptible to various diseases & Reduce the flowering 2. Soil Requirements ·          Sandy loam ·          Rich in organic matter & good drainage ·          Heavy textured soils: Slower crop development & cracked fruits ·          Soil pH: 6 – 7 ·          Apply lime if soil pH is too low or as guided by soil ana

1. Patience: As a farmer you have to learn how to be patient because raising crops or life stock takes time. Plus, it might not always turn out the way you expect. Farming comes with lots of unexpected circumstances, like pest infestations and disease outbreaks, market glut. Slow or unexpected results shouldn't frustrate a farmer set on being successful. Instead, take it in stride and plan for how to get it right next time. 2. Develop a Student Mentality: Approach the industry with a student mentality. You have to be willing and able to adapt to new technology, environments, and methods. Curiosity comes hand in hand with a student mentality, and as a farmer you need lots of it to find success. 3. Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge and skills pair nicely together. In addition to learning new things, you need to be knowledgeable in every aspect of your farm. This includes close familiarity with every crop, finding out what works best for the farm, and how it operat

It is time to plant again. This is not the time to say let me do one or two things then see if it will work. Throw away that kind of thinking Dear farmer. The word of God is marinated with his integrity and jealousy and if you use it correctly especially at these tough times (let us brace for more tough times), the Kingdom of Prosperity will know your address and poverty plus all her cousins will run away and lose your GPS compass for good! Just as the famine in the days of Joseph elevated him, help every farmer Lord who is facing downwards and doing calculations which may not be adding up....Farmers have planted fields for many years but there is nothing to show for it. Enlarge their territories this year Father. Let them see opportunities outside their troubled circumstances. Father Lord we are remembering your word in Matthew 6:33 which says, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you." We are before you and we are seeking your

 Zambeef Plc Chief Executive Officer Faith Mukutu has been named as one of Forbes’ Women to Watch in 2023. According to the statement issued by Forbes Women magazine, “In July of 2022, Mukutu was promoted from CFO to CEO of Zambeef, the largest processor of beef in Zambia and one of the biggest agriculture businesses in central Africa. As Chief Executive Officer of the company, she oversees an expansive row-cropping operation – Zambeef grows maize, soya beans and wheat for its animal feed and flour milling businesses – and has been charged with expanding Zambeef’s overall footprint in Africa.’’ Zambeef Board Chairperson Michael Mundashi commented: “Ms Mukutu possesses exceptional business acumen and admirable leadership skills that assure me of the great things to come for Zambeef. Her inclusion on this list of influential women, to watch, in 2023 serves as proof of the confidence we have in her as the board, to lead the agribusiness to the next phase’’. The prestigious list, ent

Conservation tillage is embracing one principle of conservation agriculture "minimum soil disturbances” and includes practices that keep the disturbance of the soil and loss of organic matter to a minimum, reducing soil and water losses. Mostly, the soil is not turned using ploughs. Zero tillage involves slashing the weeds and previous crop residues or spraying herbicides for weed control, and seeding directly through the mulch using direct seeding implements. All crop residues are retained, and fertiliser and amendments are either broadcast on the soil surface or applied during seeding. Effects: 1. Minimal destruction of soil structure through pulverisation, compaction and/or plough pan development. 2. Slower mineralisation of soil organic matter through less exposure to climatic elements and soil micro and macro fauna. 3. No disturbance of worms and other soil inhabitants, maintained soil biodiversity and balanced activity and food web in the soil including natural predation.

General information Compost is a product resulting from the controlled biological decomposition of chicken manure with litter. It has a nutrient value in the range of 1% nitrogen, 3% phosphorus, 1.5% potassium plus a large number of micronutrients including boron, iron, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, etc. Uses/ Benefits ●       As seedbed growing medium to increase growth of plants. ●       Improve soil texture, water retention, soil aeration and buffer the soil pH. ●       Replenish soil organic matter making the soil more naturally productive. ●       Necessary for placing in tree planting holes e.g. banana, citrus, ornamental plants etc. Application Guidelines Compost must be incorporated in the top 5cm soil at application time, except for lawn application. Vegetables ●       Apply ½ kg compost per meter square at planting. ●       One handful compost (100gms) per meter square at 30 days and at 60 days. Lawns Apply ½ kg compost per meter square at any time of the year to improve the

Diary enzymes are natural proteins with biological functions that are extensively used for the production and improvement of cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products. Diary enzymes basically act as catalyzers and are widely used for increasing the diversity, variety, and quality during processing of dairy products. Through continuous fermentation process, diary enzymes can enhance the flavor & fragrance, texture, preservation, coagulation, and tenderization of the milk product. Modern developments in the field of biotechnology have showered wider possibilities in dairying for enabling the accessibility of milk and milk products with an aim to fulfill the growing demand from large population. Rennin and Rennet are common terms for any enzyme used to coagulate milk. These are commercial preparations containing acid proteases extracted from animal tissues. Calf rennet is considered as the ideal milk-clotting enzyme for cheese making. On the other hand, lactase is widely used by manuf

Sunflowers are beautiful and vibrant flowers that can bring a touch of sunshine to any garden. Cultivating sunflowers requires careful planning and attention to detail. In this article, we will guide you through the process of choosing the right sunflower variety, preparing the soil, planting sunflower seeds, caring for sunflower plants, and harvesting and storing sunflower seeds. By following these steps, you can successfully grow and enjoy these stunning flowers in your own backyard. Key Takeaways Choose the right sunflower variety based on your preferences and growing conditions. Test and amend the soil to create the ideal conditions for sunflower growth. Plant sunflower seeds at the appropriate time and provide them with proper care. Water and fertilize sunflowers regularly to ensure healthy growth. Protect sunflowers from pests and diseases and harvest the seeds at the right time. Choosing the Right Sunflower Variety Understanding Different Sunflower Varieties When choosing a sunf

When South African Ayanda Zulu could not find a job, she started her business Wenzokuhle Holdings in order to pursue a business venture in farming. Based in KwaNongoma in the Zululand district, Zulu started by growing beans and later ventured into livestock farming. She expanded her business to include livestock farming in 2022 after moving to eShowe. Wenzokuhle Holdings commenced its operations in 2013 but was formerly registered in 2019, specialising in crop and animal production. Despite the odds which included the recent floods that ravaged most parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Zulu did not despair but continued to pursue farming, thanks to government’s support. “During the floods, it was not easy to continue farming. Floods really affected my operations, it was really bad. Climate change is a big threat to livestock farming. But I wouldn’t change it for the world,” she said. She received funding from the Department of Small Business Development’s (DSBD) Small Enterprise Develop

During the wet season especially in phosphorus deficient countries such as Botswana when the energy and protein levels in the feed are high the need for phosphorus increases as it becomes the limiting nutrient. Limiting nutrient means this nutrient limits the ability of the animal to reach the performance target. When fed phosphorus during the wet season cattle can show a great response with improved live-weight gain, improved fertility, and increased milk production. The major impact of phosphorus is reduction of appetite which leads to low weaning rates and increased mortality. Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency: 1.     Lameness. 2.     Poor growth rate/ retarded growth rate in young cattle - wonder why your young animals are not growing check their phosphorus level. 3.     Peg leg. 4.     Stiff gait. 5.     BOTULISM may be encountered in phosphorus deficient cattle from chewing bones. Choosing phosphorus supplements Assess using: 1.     Cost. 2.     Infrast