BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – The Ministry of Agriculture is advising farmers to start planting now, as the conditions have been made favourable by the recent rains.
In a statement issued by Ministry of Agriculture Under Secretary (US) Gugu Shabangu, farmers have been advised that the recent rains have provided sufficient moisture in the soil, which is the right condition for any seed to germinate.
Shabangu said planting at this time would give farmers an opportunity to enhance crop establishment and yield. The Ministry, according to Shabangu, also noted a shortage of certain seed varieties, particularly the SC 719, a late maturing seed variety widely used by farmers. She said this variety was in high demand and efforts had been made to source this seed variety from suppliers and it was expected to arrive soon.
However, Shabangu said that given the high demand from farmers for this seed variety, the suppliers could have difficulties in supplying all the farmers with this product. Because of this situation, the Ministry has advised farmers to also consider using alternative late-maturing seed varieties, such as the Lake 707. She said this was another variety that could be suitable because the ideal time to plant it could be now and the end of November.
The Ministry has advised against planting late-maturing seed varieties after November. For those planting after this period, the Ministry recommends planting seed varieties such as SC 637, SC 555, Lake 601, CAP 9001, CAP 9021. Shabangu assured farmers that the Ministry remained committed to help farmers countrywide throughout the farming season.
She said extension officers were available in all the Rural Development Areas (RDAs) to provide guidance on what they needed to do to successfully go through the ploughing season. Shabangu urged farmers to continue contacting their local extension officers for guidance.
