Bikita (New Ziana) -Farmers in Bikita district, Masvingo province have so far planted 42 075.84 hectares of different crops this farming season with planting still in progress, the Agricultural, Technical and Extension Services Department (AGRITEX) has said.
In its latest update for the cropping season, Agritex said farmers had planted 16 425 ha of maize, at least 4 771.82 ha of which is under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa program while 14 000 ha is under small grains.
Other crops planted include groundnuts (6297 ha), sunflower(63 ha), cotton (1 032.82h ha), sweet potatoes (282 ha), Bambara nuts (3448 ha), sugar beans (18 ha), cowpeas (232 ha), rice(16 ha) and sesame (30 ha).
Agritex said the crop condition in the district was fair, although in some areas signs of leaching had started showing.
It said planting was still in progress and farmers were being advised to plant short season and drought tolerant crops.
Under the Climate-proofed Pfumvudza/Intwasa program, the Grain Marketing Board this season received 2 176.8 tons of Compound D an 224 tons AN fertiliser, 3 048.45 tons maize seed, 13 tons Sorghum seed, 10 tons Ground nuts and 1 ton Sunflower seed for distribution to farmers.
New Ziana