Zambia Agribusiness Society

Kale, also known as leaf cabbage , is a leafy green vegetable that belongs to the Brassica family of vegetables, which also includes broccoli , cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Kale is a nutritious vegetable that is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is often used in salads, soups, smoothies, and as a side dish. In Zambia, kale is typically grown during the cooler months of the year, from May to August. It is a cool-season crop that requires well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. Kale can be grown in a variety of soil types, but it prefers fertile, loamy soil that is rich in organic matter . To grow kale in Zambia, farmers typically plant the seeds directly into the soil in rows, spacing the seeds around 10 to 15 centimetres apart. The seeds should be planted around 1 to 2 centimetres deep and covered with soil. Kale requires regular watering , especially during dry spells. It is also important to control weeds , as they can compete with the kale for nutrients an

General Production Requirements ·          Sweet potato is very sensitive to frost and cold. It requires hot days and warm nights for optimum growth, with mean monthly temperatures of 21°C to 29°C. ·          Popular varieties are Lukulu, Mulungushi, Kalungwishi, Lwangwa, Lunga, Kafue and Chingovwa. ·          Sweet potato requires 4 to 6 months to produce economic yields. ·          A well-managed sweet potato crop should yield 5 to 7.5 tons per Lima (20 to 39 tons/ha). Land Preparation/Soil Type ·          Deep, loose well drained loamy soils (does poorly on clay soils) with a pH range from 5.5 to 6.5 are ideal for sweet potato. ·          Effective rooting depth is 60cm. Deep plough field and harrow to a 60cm fine tilth seedbed. ·          Sweet potato is relatively tolerant to drought but cannot withstand waterlogging; therefore vines must be planted on 30 to 50cm ridges to avoid waterlogging. Preferred soil moisture is 60 to 75% of maximum water holding capacity.

General Requirements ·          Rape does well in warm seasons of the year. Optimum temperatures for growing are 20ºC to 25ºC, with minimum temperatures of 18ºC and maximum 30ºC. ·          Popular Rape varieties are English giant, prior rape and Hobson. ·          A well-managed Rape crop should yield 5 tons per Lima with a leaf cutting period of 40 to 50 days. ·          First leaves can be harvested 21 days after transplanting. Land Preparation/Soil Type ·          Deep well drained loamy soils with a pH range from 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal for Rape. ·          Effective rooting depth is 60cm. ·          Plough and disc to a 60cm fine tilth seedbed. ·          Avoid planting rape on land previously planted on other brassicas for at least one season. Planting and Transplanting ·          Sow directly by drilling in the farrows 1 to 2cm deep or raise seedlings in nursery beds and transplant 4 to 5 weeks later. ·          Transplant during the cool part of the day (e

Your farm income doesn’t have to drop just because the temperature has. Use your greenhouse to grow products for sale all winter-long. When cold weather sets in, most farmers close up their market booth for the season and pack it in. However, a farmer looking to continue earning income in the off-season can turn to a greenhouse as a season extender, offering produce to hungry customers year-round. But what crops are best for greenhouse production? And what is the winter customer looking for? These are things you’ll need to identify before starting your greenhouse operation. While it will take a little bit of market research on your part, here are our favourite greenhouse crops, as well as how to maximizing your yields and get them into the hands of eager customers. 1. Cut and Head Lettuce Lettuce is a relatively hardy vegetable, and a popular one no matter what time of year. Grow a few different lettuce varieties for mixes, as well as some colourful lettuce heads, to draw customers

General Production: •       Chilli does well in warm seasons of the year. Optimum temperatures for growing are 20ºC to 30ºC. •       Popular Chilli varieties are Long Red Cayenne, Long Slim Cayenne, Serrano, Spitfire and Thai Chilli. •       A well-managed Chilli crop should yield 2.5tons Green or 750kg Dry per Lima. Harvest may extend for several months but is generally discontinued after 2 months when bulk of the crop has been picked. Land Preparation/Soil Type: •       Deep well drained loamy soils with a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5 is ideal. •       Effective rooting depth is 60cm. •       Plough and harrow to a 60cm fine tilth seedbed. Planting and Transplanting: •       Sow directly by drilling in the farrows 1 to 2cm deep or raise seedlings in nursery beds and transplant 6 to 8 weeks later. •       Transplant during the cool part of the day (early morning or late afternoon) to avoid wilting of the plants. •       Space the plants at 30cm between plants and 75cm between rows to give a

General Production: ·          Cassava is a tropical and subtropical crop grown for the root part and in some cases for young leaves. ·          Popular sweet varieties are: Tanganyika and Kapumba. ·          Popular bitter varieties are: Mweru, Chila, Kapolombo and Bangweulu. ·          A well-managed Cassava crop will yield 5.5 to 9 tons per Lima. ·          Recommended time of planting mid-November to mid-December. Land Preparation/Soil Type: ·          Deep loose well drained loamy soils with a pH range from 4.5 to 7.5 is ideal. ·          Effective rooting depth is 100cm to 150cm. Deep plough field and harrow. ·          500kg of dolomitic lime must be applied 30-60 days prior to planting and harrowed in to the soil to make ridges where Cassava cuttings will be planted. Planting: ·          Plant the 20 to 50cm cuttings vertically inclined or horizontally at 60cm between plants and 100cm between ridges/rows to give a plant population of 10,000 plants/hectare. Fertilizer Programme:

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

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