Zambia Agribusiness Society

Many watermelon growers plant as soon as possible in the season so they can market the crop early, when prices are high. The problem, however, is that watermelons, particularly seedless varieties, require a warm temperature (25°C to 35°C) to germinate. The good news is that you can give the seed a helping hand by pre-germinating it early in the season when the weather is cooler. Whether you intend planting the seed directly into the soil or into seed trays, pre-germination is worth the effort as it gives you a quick, uniform start. This does not apply to hybrid and seedless watermelons, however; these usually go into seed trays in a warm environment. An effective way to pre-germinate seed is to use an electric blanket: Place a sheet of plastic, followed by a few sheets of newspaper, on one half of the blanket; Wet the newspaper and sprinkle the seed onto the moist paper; Cover with a few more sheets of newspaper, and moisten; Place another sheet of plastic on top, and fold the ...

Young people are now venturing into farming thanks to technology. Photo: Africa Feeds Media Africa is a net importer of food with current figures at 30 billion Euros per annum and the figure could triple by 2025 if drastic measures are not taken according to a report by CTA & Dalberg Advisors. Despite overwhelming evidence showing that Africa’s prosperity and economic growth lies in agriculture, most governments are struggling to honour their Malabo Declaration commitment of allocating at least 10% of their total budgets to the sector. But the situation could change with the introduction and upscaling of data and digital technologies in the agrifood value chains. The evolution of Agricultural Internet of Things (AIoT), block chain technology, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), use of drones among others could transform the sector by increasing productivity and creating jobs. According to UN data, 65% of African population is comprised of the youth, yet the average ag...

Poultry farming in the United States involves over 233,000 locations. Over 8.54 billion broilers are produced each year through this industry, along with approximately 100 billion eggs and over 238 million turkeys. The combined value of all of these agricultural products is about $50 billion per year. This figure is up over 9% from what the industry was able to achieve in 2013. When you include figures from around the world, the revenues and output triple thanks to large operations in the Asia-Pacific region. Although poultry farming is a process that produces an image of hundreds of small birds crammed into a small cage, unable to move, this is not the industry standard. Intensive agricultural practices are different than unethical ones. Hens begin laying eggs at 16 to 20 weeks, but their product levels begin to decline in 1 to 2 months. That is why these hens are considered economically unviable and sent for meat products. Chicken is one of the most consumed meat products in the ...

Many people would want to venture into poultry farming but have no idea how. Poultry farming especially chicken farming isn't difficult to start. You don't even need to start with many chickens. Most youths leave their fertile lands and other rural areas in search of employment in Africa only to be disappointed by lack of jobs. Chicken farming can be your salvation from poverty. Embrace it. It is the simplest agricultural investment and I will tell you why. I will pass on information here FREE of charge. Don’t pay me a single coin. My reward is to see you succeed. Today I will give lessons on how you as a farmer can be successful in your chicken project and multiply your flock of chickens. You can rise from nothing to something. From grass to grace. How do you go about it? You can start with 10 hens and 2 cocks. You need to programme these hens to hatch chicks at the same time. Provide each hen with its nest. Use a plastic basin with grass, wood shavings or old clothes. Place o...

When performing a visual evaluation of the animal, note the following features in particular: frame size, muscle and body structure, and breed character. In a breeding herd, you need to select animals that possess traits for a long life, reproductive efficiency, efficient feed to meat conversion, and a type that will produce desirable carcass composition and performance. The ability of the individual animal to meet these requirements is shaped by heredity and the environment. Today, production records are used to determine an animal’s genetic potential and its response to the environment. But these records do not tell the whole story. Physical characteristics remain important, and visual evaluation is still a key part of the selection process. It takes training and experience to accurately evaluate features. The following is merely a broad guideline of what to look for: 1. Body structure The neck should be moderately long (an indicator of growth). The loin and rump should b...

So maybe you think you’ve got it all figured out. You’re the MacGyver of the kitchen — spatula in one hand, two eggs in the other. Crack, separate, and plop goes the egg in the bowl…with a bit of shell. The horror! What do you do? Hint: Fishing around with a spoon isn’t the answer. Thankfully, we have a solution to your egg quandary (see tip number 10), plus quick fixes to tons of other food prep, cooking, and baking predicaments, from pitting a nectarine to softening butter the easy way. We’ve hacked your kitchen — prepare to save money, save time, and never cry from cutting onions again. 1.     If you happen to over-salt a pot of soup, just drop in a peeled potato . The potato will absorb the excess salt. 2.     When boiling eggs, add a pinch of salt to keep the shells from cracking. 3.     Never put citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, etc.) or tomatoes in the fridge. The low temperatures degrade the aroma and flavour of thes...

1. Make a business plan. Do a SWOT analysis of yourself and the cattle industry you will be entering. Plan what kind of cows you want looking at breeds, and what kind of farm you wish to operate. Keep in mind to start small. Try to aim for being a low-cost producer, as that is the surest way to make money, and the best way to start if you don’t have much to begin with! 2. Locate the area where you want to raise cattle. This is important because you need to find a location that you are used to or really like and are confident you can raise your animals in. 3. Research then purchase the type of facilities, equipment and machinery necessary for the type of cattle you have chosen to raise. Analyse your operation and your financial situation to see what you need (not what you want) for current facilities, equipment and machinery. Fencing, watering facilities, feed bunks/troughs or bale feeders is priority above all other assets needed. 4. Determine the type of cattle you want to...