The Sunday News
FARMING experts in Matabeleland region have said farmers should seek ways of improving tomato production and quality to enable them to meet the anticipated demand which will come from the multi-million dollar tomato processing plant to be set up in Esigodini, Matabeleland South province.
Matabeleland South Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) provincial officer Mr Judiya Ncube said there was a need for farmers in his area to enhance their tomato production in light of the proposed project, a ready market to absorb their produce.
The construction of the plant follows a public-private partnership deal fronted by the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, Development Trust of Zimbabwe (DTZ) and an unnamed Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed company.
“We have a number of irrigation schemes and communal farmers that are into horticulture and producing mostly tomatoes and these are mostly in Umzingwane and Insiza districts and I feel these can adequately supply the factory when the project comes to fruition.
“Horticultural production in the province is thriving but of course there is a challenge of water. There aren’t many water sources in this area to allow farmers to embark on extensive horticulture production. The other problem was access to markets but with the coming of the factory there will be a ready market and we will encourage them to support it,” Mr Ncube said.
Matabeleland North provincial Agritex officer Mr Dumisani Nyoni said production of tomatoes in the province was low owing to a myriad of challenges but was optimistic that the setting up of tomato processing was likely to stimulate farmers to increase their output.
“The availability of a market will motivate farmers to produce more. Currently yields are low averaging 20 tonnes per hectare yet there is potential to go up to 60 tonnes per hectare,” Mr Nyoni said.
He said farmers had to improve on the quality of their varieties as well as ensuring the application of the requisite fertilisers.
“The first challenges, which most farmers face when it comes to tomato production is the issue to do with variety selection. They tend to use low grade varieties instead of resorting to hybrids. Of course this has to do with the issue of pricing.
“The other issue has to do with input levels in terms of quantity and type, especially when applying fertilisers. It’s largely recommended that Compound S, which has to be top dressed with Ammonium Nitrate (AN) be used but most farmers resort to using Compound D and AN,” Mr Nyoni said.
He said for one to attain a good tomato crop, fertiliser application should be informed by soil analysis.
“Most farmers have a poor crop rotation system, which leads to the presence of nematodes. There are also issues of inadequate or poor pest control; all these compromise the yield and quality,” Mr Nyoni said.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union Matabeleland North chairman, Mr Winston Babbage said there was a need for Government to facilitate the setting up of a number of irrigation schemes in the region to improve crop yields in the entire region.
“Government should ensure most of its irrigation equipment is distributed in Matabeleland because this area experiences very low rainfall and this has over the years made it futile for farmers from this part of the country to produce optimum yields thus irrigation remains the most ideal option,” Mr Babbage said.
The Member of Parliament for Umzingwane Constituency Cde William Dhewa said he was not aware of the latest development but was quick to point out that it would go a long way towards developing his area.
“It’s (setting up of the tomato plant) an old story which was supposed to be done in the 90s. I don’t even know why the equipment ended up in Umguza when the plant was earmarked for Esigodini.
“However, as a legislator I welcome this development and I am quite positive the plant will be put to good use since Esigodini is one of the biggest horticultural producing areas in the province especially tomato production,” Cde Dhewa said.
