Zambia Agribusiness Society

The Australorp is a fairly recent arrival on the chicken scene, but in its relatively short history, it has made a huge impression on chicken keepers and the poultry industry the world over. The name is a contraction of Australian black Orpington. The breed was called by several different names before Australorp was settled upon. Since the major development of this breed was done in Australia, the Australorp is the honorary National bird of Australia. In this article we will look at their temperament, egg laying ability and breed standard, before addressing how to properly care for them and common health issues. History of Australorps In the early 1900s,  William Cook’s Orpingtons  were imported to Australia with the intention of creating a good dual purpose bird suitable for the Australian climate. They were crossed with Rhode Island Reds  to improve the egg laying ability. In England, the Orpington was being refined to produce good quality meat, but the ever...

Rape (Brassica napus) is the most widely eaten vegetable in Zambia. Rape (Brassica napus) is a versatile leafy vegetable that can be used in a variety of recipes. The most common way it is prepared is by slicing it thinly then cooking them in oil with some tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Rape and kale are then enjoyed as a side dish with the staple pap and meat. What makes this a must-have vegetable in your garden or farm is that it can be grown all year round (though it is better suited to the cool season), and it is a steady, high-yielding vegetable that can guarantee you a constant supply of income. It is also suitable for urban farmers because it requires limited space. If you are ready to grow these luscious green leafy vegetables then follow the guide below. Climatic and soil requirements It is typically planted in early February but April is considered the best time to plant it. It does best at temperatures of about 15 to 20°C during the day and night temperatures of 10°C...

Farming is no doubt a very lucrative business and becoming well known around the globe. Lots of people, both old and young are now delving and swerving the steering of income in agricultural directions. Farm record keeping is one of the important aspects of farming that can make or break a farm enterprise. There are different types of farm records that can be kept to monitor the progress of the farm. Farming as we all know has different sectors and every sector is very relevant in the economy building as they are interwoven in terms of their operation. Talk of crop production; it is a source of animal feed. Also, the wastes of these animals are reused for fertilizer to increase the yield. This is zero farming techniques where there is maximum utilization of resources. This farming system is indeed a very lucrative one and this is what most successful farmers implement. But, one important yet neglected aspect a farm manager must give preference to is farm record keeping. A farm mana...

Are you interested in starting a Tilapia fish farming business? Do you need a sample tilapia fish farming business plan template? Would you like to control a MEGA Tilapia fish farm that produces Thousands of fishes monthly? If you answered YES to any of the above questions, then I need you to pay attention to everything I share in this article Tilapia fish farming is becoming more popular because Tilapia is easier to raise compared to most fish breeds and it is highly resistant to diseases. Tilapia can survive in diverse temperature conditions and feed on vegetable. Whether you want to raise Tilapia as a hobby or on a commercial scale, these are some of the major factors you need to consider: 1. What is your Motive? The first thing you should always put into consideration before starting any business at all, is your motive for going into the business. Your motive would determine your overall business strategy. As for Tilapia farming business, are you going into it to make profit or do ...

In Africa maize does well when intercropped with beans or other legumes. The intercropped legumes should be sown at the time of first weeding in order not to crowd out the young maize plants. Since maize is a heavy feeder and takes considerable nutrients out of the soil, it can only be grown continuously on the richest soils or when heavily fertilized. Recommended legumes for intercropping in Kenya are: beans, pigeon peas, cowpeas,  groundnuts  and  soybeans . Other crops that have been tried with varying success include: 1.     Potatoes 2.     Cassava 3.     Pumpkin Intercropping maize with beans and other legumes regulates pests (leafhopper, leaf beetles, stalk borer, and  fall armyworm ) and increases the land utility. Intercropping Canavalia (Canavalia spp.) with maize improves soil productivity. Intercropping maize with beans and squash enhances parasitism of caterpillars. This practice increases fo...