Agribusiness

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AUGUST 2020 .co.zw

farming is a business

A guide to starting a pig

production business

The use of molecular viral indexing techniques to

detect plant viruses 24-26 Research

Butternut production guide

13-15 Crops
Estimating livestock weight
28 Livestock
 In this Issue
A guide to starting a pig production business 4
Butternut production guide 13
Adopting the pfumvudza concept on maize and traditional grains 15
The use of molecular viral indexing techniques to detect plant viruses 24
Crop planting calendar 27

05
Estimating livestock weight 28
Broilers: first hour, first day, first week! 29
Word search 30
Top agribusiness ideas 33
Spot the difference 37
Batanai cooperative group 39
The agribusiness expert answers 40

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Agribusiness
farming is a business
August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 4 Livestock

A guide to starting a pig

production business

A re you thinking of
starting a pig pro-
duction business but
More Information

www.agribusiness.co.zw
ey required to set up
the piggery project is
dependent on the unit
don’t know where to size one intends to
start from? looking after sows and operate. In pig produc-
Or maybe you have boars for selling breed- tion capital is needed
started but it seems ing stock, weaners or to construct the sties
the business is not do- fattening the off spring and to buy equipment
ing well? The article will for the meat market. and breeding stock.
guide you in stating a The content will help in Working capital is also
sustainable pig produc- both production mod- needed to pay for feed,
tion business. els. drugs and labour for
the first year of opera-
There are two main pig The following things tion.
production business should be considered
models; weaner fatten- when one is intending For a breeding/feed-
ing and breeding. to start up a piggery ing unit, cash outflow
project: tends to increase to a
Weaner fattening maximum at the end
involves purchasing of the first 11 months
weaners from other of operation while
farmers for fattening. Capital
Breeding involves ....continued on page 6
The amount of mon-

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August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 Kurima Ibhizimusi

Ukulima Yibhizimusi
 6 Livestock
....continued from page 4
cash inflow starts
only 11 months after
commencement of
the project. It is there-
fore important for the
farmer to have suffi-
cient funds to sustain
the operations of the
piggery for a period of
11 months.
Knowledge
Knowledge on how to
successfully manage a
pig production enter-
prise is very important.
In order for the farmer
to avoid making costly
mistakes in the running
of the pig production
enterprise he should
be trained in pig hus-
bandry.
Breeding stock
The output of a unit
can be limited by the
quality of breeding
stock. Inferior breed-
ing stock results in an
inefficient utilization of
feed and space. Farm-
ers must be prepared
to pay high prices for
quality stock. Poor
quality breeding stock
may be cheaper in the
short term but in the
long run they will be
expensive.
Market
Farmers have to
identify the market for
Agribusiness farming is a business
August 2020
their pigs before they production. The pigs’
start producing them. water requirements will
Farmers should desist vary with the weather.
from the practice of On a very hot day the
hunting around for pig will use more water
a market when their than during a cold day. Pigs in a properly
constructed housing
pigs are ready for sale. As a general guide a
When the producer farmer should budget
has identified a market about 150 litres of wa-
he must ask himself ter per sow per day.
whether the price being
offered for his pigs will
be enough to make
Housing
the project viable. An The pigsties should
important point to be constructed in a
consider when one way that will allow the
is choosing a market stockman to carry out
is the distance to the his daily duties with
market. If the distance ease. The sties have to
to the market is long be designed in a man-
the project will incur ner that will help man-
high transport costs agement in monitoring
and hence will be less the pig enterprise.
viable. Poor housing designs
can lead to dispropor-
tionate food sharing,
Water inefficient utilization of
Water should be of the space, feed wastage
right quantity and qual- and poor performance
ity. Inadequate water of the pigs among oth-
supply depresses the er things.
growth rate of the pigs.
Lactating sow need
a lot of water for milk
Feed availability
A guaranteed supply
www.agribusiness.co.zw
 7 Livestock

of feed is a prereq-
uisite for the suc-
cessful operation
of a piggery project.
Feed account for
about 80% of the
production costs
on a pig production
enterprise. Pig feeds
are compounded
using maize or
other small grains
and concentrates.
The farmer should
budget about 3.4
tonnes of maize per
sow per year if he is
to operate a breed-
ing/feeding unit.

SITING A PIGGERY
The pigsties should
be sited in the direc-
tion of the prevailing
winds in relation
to the homestead.
The pens should not
be built in swampy
areas. Wherever
possible take ad- the source of water for should make consider-
vantage of the natural the project. Stockper- ations for future expan-
slope in sitting the sons should not travel sion of the project. The
piggery. long distances to fetch place where the pigsties
water for the pigs. While are located should be
It is also recommended it is prudent to have the spacious so that there
A sample budget for
to use land, which is water source close to is room for future ex- 50 weaners
not suitable for crop- the piggery care should pansion of the project.
ping as the location be taken on where the The security of the pigs
for the pigsties. The effluent from the pig- and property should
area where the sties gery goes. If the effluent also be considered
are located should be is dumped close to the when sitting the piggery.
easily accessible by water source there is Isolated locations can
trucks to allow for easy danger of contamina- result in theft problems.
delivery of supplies tion of the water. The
and to facilitate the effluent should not be When constructing the
movement of the pigs channeled to a site that sties they should not
to the market. Another is close to the source face east-west. The
thing to consider when of drinking water. When
sitting the pigsties is sitting the pigsties one ....continued on page 9

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August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
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 9 Livestock

....continued from page 7 Area

In pig sows Stalls 2m long*0.64m wide
buildings should face Cubicles As for stalls and similar dunging and exercise area
north-south. This is
done to prevent the pigs Yards 3-4m2 per sow
from having sunburn Farrowing

and heat stress. Crate 2m long * 0.7m wide

Pen, including crate 6.2m2
Solari follow on, including creep area 10m2
SPACE Multi suckling 7-8m2/sow and litter
REQUIREMENTS Weaners
Cages (per pig) 0.2m2 lying area + 0.2m2 slatted area
It is important to have
Yards/pig 0.7-0.9m2
the right number of Porkers (pen, including dunging area 0.73m2/pig
pigs in a pigsty. Over- Baconers (pen including dunging area) 0.93m2/pig
crowding can result in Trough space (per pig)
depressed growth in Light porkers 0.2m2
addition to easy trans- Heavy porkers 0.25m2
mission of diseases. Baconers 0.3m2
Overcrowded pigs dung Gilts/Sows 0.35m2
everywhere hence the
environment will be con- If sows are housed 8 in
ducive for the spread of Farrowing Places a pen
diseases. (see table) Farrowings per year No of pens required =
100*2.0 = 200 77/8 = 10
With a 7 week occupa-
PEN REQUIREMENTS tion period the number Weaner Pens Piggery space re-
quirements
WORKOUTS FOR A of times the same Output of weaners per
100 SOW UNIT farrowing place can year = 100*2*10 =
be used = 52/7 = 7 2000 weaners
Assumptions
approx Weaners stay in the
Farrowing index 2
Weaning age 5 weeks weaner pens for 3
No of farrowing places weeks with the pen be-
18 pigs are sold per
required = 200/7 = 29 ing rested for 5 days.
sow per year
approx Batches per year =
20 weaners are pro-
duced per sow per year 365/26 = 14 batches
Sows enter farrowing Dry sow places No of pigs/batch =
house 1 week before The sow is weaned after 2000/14 = 143 pigs
farrowing and the pens 5 weeks. At 12 weaners/pen
are rested for a week The sow enters the the number of pens
after weaning farrowing house a week required = 143/12 = 12
before farrowing. At 2 pens
Weaners occupy weaner litters per sow per year
pens for 3 weeks and a period of (6*2) = 12 Fattening Pens
the pens are rested for weeks is spend away Pigs occupy the fatten-
5 days. from dry-sow housing. ing pens after 8 weeks.
The period the sow is in Fatteners are marketed
Fatteners occupy the the dry sow pens is 40 when they are about
fattening pens for 105 weeks. 51/2 months of age.
days and the pens are The number of dry
sow places required is
rested for 3 days. ....continued on page 11
40*100/52 = 77

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August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 11 Livestock
....continued from page 9
Allowing 3 days cleaning
between batches the
number of batches that
can use the same facil-
ity per year is 365/109
= 3.3
Output per year is
100*18 = 1800
For a 100 sow unit the
number of pigs per
batch is 100*18/3.3 =
545.
545 fattening places
are required per time.
At 15 pigs/pen the num-
ber of pens required is
530/15 = 34 pens.
PIG HOUSING
One of the aims of
providing housing to
pigs is for management
to be able to exert their
control on the pigs. Pig
housing is intended to
control the pig environ-
ment and to protect the
pigs from rain and sun’s
rays.
Housing should be used
to modify the environ-
ment e.g. in the farrow-
ing house there is need
to provide two microen-
vironments within the
same pen. A warm en-
vironment is needed for
the piglets and a cool
environment is needed
for the lactating sow.
The sties should be con-
structed in a way that
will help in the preven-
tion of diseases. There
should be adequate
Agribusiness farming is a business
August 2020
openings to allow for ther be too rough nor
ventilation in all the pig too smooth. Smooth
buildings. In the case floors can cause leg
of the farrowing house injuries while too rough
there should be provi- floors cause damages
sion to close the open- to the teats and to the
ings when it is cold. piglet legs during suck-
ling. Too rough floors
Pig housing should help can also damage the
the stockperson to per- clays of pigs. The floors
form his duties e.g. heat should allow easy drain-
detection, weighing and age of water. This can
moving pigs from one only be achieved if the
pen to the other or to floors are sloping to the
the loading bay. outside drainage chan-
nel. The outside drain-
Pigsties can be con- age channel should be
structed using a variety at least 30cm wide.
of materials but empha-
sis should be placed on The walls should be
using durable material. plastered and should be
Pigsties can be of brick free of sharp objects.
under asbestos, iron
sheets or thatch. Ideally The roof should not be
thatch should not be low. Low roofs interfere
used for the farrowing with the stockman when
and weaner pens. he is carrying out his
duties.
Each pen should have
a feeding trough and a Contact the Pig
water trough. If there Industry Board on
is provision for nipple +263 772234650
drinkers then there is for all your training
no need for a water
and breeding stock
trough. The feed trough
should not be sited in
needs.
the dunging area. The
http://www.pib.co.zw/
water trough should not
contact-us/
be sited at the upper
end of the slope oth-
erwise spillages will
render the pen wet all
the time.
The floors should ideally
be of hard concrete
to prevent the rooting
behaviour of the pigs
and to facilitate easy
cleaning of the pens.
The floors should nei-
www.agribusiness.co.zw
 13 Crops
Butternut production guide
By Wonder Chakanyuka
Background
Butternut belongs to the
Cucurbit family of vege-
table crops. It falls under
the botanical group of
Curcubita moschata. The
crop is a very nutritious
vegetable whose fruit
can be used with rice
dishes and for making
starter dishes such as
soups. Butternut is a
potential cash crop as it
has a long shelf life.
Soils
Butternut can be grown
successfully on a wide
range of soils. Fertile
Agribusiness farming is a business
August 2020
More Information er, the field should be
irrigated at least every
www.agribusiness.co.zw
other day if not more
often. The best test for
soils with adequate the need of irrigation is
drainage are ideal as to dig down and squeeze
butternut is quite sensi- a handful of soil. If soil
tive to oxygen deficiency comes apart and does
in the soils. The ideal not stay in a ball upon
soils are sandy loams or the release of pressure it
silty loams which warm means that irrigation is
up rapidly. needed.
Rainfall Temperature
Water requirement is Butternut is more tol-
very high but high hu- erant to high tempera-
midity encourages leaf tures, thereby making it
disease and may affect adaptable to low lying
flower production. The areas. It, therefore, can
frequency of irrigation be grown in areas which
is largely dependent on are hot enough such
soil type and weather as places where water
conditions. Generally, for melons can grow well.
sandy soils in dry weath- The temperature ranges
www.agribusiness.co.zw
 14 Crops

Disease Signs Windmill recommended control

1. Anthracnose Black angular spots appear on leaves with black streaks Spray Mancozeb/Dithane, or Chlorothalonil/ Bravo.
on stems and leaf stalks. Sunken lesions on the fruit
produce spore masses under moist conditions.
2. Powdery Mildew White mealy blotches on leaf surfaces. Spray Wetable Sulphur Carbenndazim or Bonomyl 50 WP,
Funginex or apply Pedza Nhamo Dust at weekly intervals
during susceptible periods.
3. Downey Mildew Circular to rectangular small brown spots surrounded Control weekly using Copper Oxychloride 85 WP, Mancozeb/
by yellow halo appear on the leaves. The spots are biscuit Dithane, and Chlorothalonil. If done during the earliest stages
brown on the underside of the leaves or covered with a of the disease they will provide adequate control. Ridomil
fungus and appear scattered. Under serious infection, Gold can be applied 10 day intervals up to a maximum of 3
the leaf dies from the edges inward resembling frost sprays.
damage.
4. Leaf Mosaic Leaves show dark green to light green mosaic with a Aphid control is of utmost importance in curbing disease
blistered surface. Under severe cases, the plants remain spread. Infected plants should be removed and destroyed.
stunted and do not bear fruit, and leaves will be mal-
formed and curled.
Insect Pests Damage caused Windmill recommended method of control

1. Pumpkin Fly Dry indented patch on fruit and subsequent rotting Chemical sprays at beginning of flowering e.g. use Malathion
25 WP, Lebaycid, and Dimethoate 40 EC.
2. Aphids Transmit mosaic virus diseases Control can be done using Dimethoate 40 EC, Diazinon,
Metasystox, or Malathion 25 WP.

for optimum production duction is possible in showing signs of rotting

are 18-21 oC at night low lying areas and this should be removed.
and below 29 oC during can be during the period
the day. This restricts March to August. For Marketing
production to the sum- early production in high
mer months with winter altitudes, sowing should After harvesting, farmers
production possible in be done from early July should sort and grade Pest and disease
the low-veld areas or to August. The seed their fruits according to management
rather in the hot areas. required is 2.5 to 3.5 size. Packaging varies
The crop is very suscep- kg/ha. It can either be according to size and
tible to frost. planted on hills, ridges market requirements.
or in furrows. Farmers have the option
Fertiliser application to sell their butternuts
It is recommended that Weed control at market places such as
10-15 ton/ha of compost Mbare Musika, Chik-
or manure should be This is done mechanical- wanha Shopping centre,
incorporated about a ly using hoes. Bulawayo Central Mar-
month before planting ket, retail and whole-
or alternatively 500 kg/ sale outlets, colleges
Harvesting
ha of Windmill’s com- and boarding schools,
pound C (5:15:12) and Fruits are harvested on or even to the export
100kg /ha of Ammonium a size basis in the region market.
Nitrate ( 34.5%N) top of 15 cm length for the
dressing should be ap- fresh market. The seeds - WINDMILL
plied after the first fruits should be soft. Fruits
have formed. must not be allowed
to ripen on the mother
Planting plants as this stops de-
velopment of new fruits.
Butternut can be plant- Storage under shady
ed from March to conditions e.g. under a
August and late July to tree is ideal. This should
mid-November in higher be accompanied by
altitudes. Winter pro- good ventilation. Fruits

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August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
Adopting the pfumvudza
concept on maize and traditional
grains. ADOPTING THE
PFUMVUDZA
CONCEPT ON
MAIZE AND
TRADITIONAL
GRAINS.

Farming
for sustainable
crop production

1
BACKGROUND
Pfumvudza is an approach from Foundations for
Farming that is based on key principles of conservation
agriculture. To achieve high yields all operations
must be done to a high standard, without wastage
(precision farming). Using the Pfumvudza input
pack; it is possible to feed a family for a year from
a minimum investment. The concept is a sustainable
way of crop production intensification, whereby
farmers concentrate resources on a smaller piece
of land, resulting in higher productivity from lower
investment, hence higher profit margin.
BENEFITS OF PFUMVUDZA
• Allows concentration of resources on small land
units thereby optimizing resources (inputs,
resources)
• Facilitates high levels of management.
• Can facilitate water-planting or sup.
2
PFUMVUDZA
-WHAT IS IT
A small food security plot for the household
• 1/16 ha (39m*16m)
• 1456 holes per plot
• 52 rows with 28 holes per row.
• Each planting station/hole will have 2
plants
• Spacing 60cm*75cm.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF
PFUMVUDZA
• Timeliness- for all operation (planting,
weeding, fertilizer application…)
• High standards- equal fertilizer mounts
for all plants, correct spacing, optimum
plant population.
• Without wastage and precision –Nutrient
amendments placed close to the roots-
used efficiently, and benefits from
residual fertility. Increased satisfaction,
Joy and confidence levels for farmers.
PLOT SIZE PLANTING MAIZE
The demonstrated plot size should be 16m x 39m
(624m2 which is approximately 0.06ha) UNDER PFUMVUDZA
Inter-row spacing of 75cm
In-row spacing of 60cm
Row length of 16m
Hole dimensions should be
15cm by 15cm by 15cm.

Hence digging 28 holes per row, with two maize

plants per each plating hole, making a total of 56
plants per row.
Therefore 1456 planting holes with a total of 2912
plants.

A total of 52 rows, with each row producing a 20L

tin of maize grain(one 20L per week for 52 weeks =1
year),with the assumption that each plant produces
one cob.

The plot should give approximately 1 tonne translating INPUT PACK

to a yield of 15t/ha. 2kg seed, 12kg lime, 16kg basal fertilizer, 16kg top
dressing, insecticide for fall armyworm.

PRECISION AND TIMING

The precision and attention to detail results in an
optimum plant population. The removal of weeds
at short intervals when they are still small, greatly
reduces weed pressure. Placing three seeds in each
planting hole, and later thinning to two, ensures the
plants has the required two plants per planting hole.
The small land size ensures that the farmer is able
to provide supplementary irrigation (water by hand)
where water is available during dry spells, thus
enhancing the resilience of the production.

Mulching is key 3
 Precise Operations:
• Paying attention to detail and doing all tasks
carefully and completely.

Efficient Use Of Inputs:

• Not wasting any resources including labour, time,
seeds, stover, manure.

Input Package
PLANTING • 2 kg seed
• 12kg lime
SORGHUM • 16 kg Compound D fertilizer
• 16 kg Ammonium Nitrate
• Insecticide for stalk borer and FAW

Key Steps
Step1: In high potential areas, prepare basins
75cm x 30cm. Plant 5 seeds per station. Thin after 3
SORGHUM PRODUCTION GUIDELINES weeks of establishment, leaving 3 plants per station
UNDER PFUMVUDZA (making in-row spacing 10cm).
• Sorghum is a drought tolerant crop. Expected plant population is 75cm x 10cm (133 333
• Sorghum adapts well under low rainfall areas plants/ha)In low potential areas, prepare basins
normally associated with high temperatures. 75cm x 45cm. Plant 5 seeds per station …thin to
• The drought tolerance, short season leave 3 plants/station. Expected plant population is
characteristics and adaptability to various soils 75cm x 15cm (88 888plants/ha)
are its main advantages.
Step2: Apply 5grams lime or cup no.5 per planting
Key Principles station. Use coke bottle-top.
• Minimum soil disturbance: digging planting
stations or making rip lines instead of ploughing. Step3: Basal Fertiliser: apply 8 grams (cup no 8).
• Mulching: covering the soil with crop residues Compound D/ or use a level pet bottle cap (Cup 8)
(‘stover’) or other dry organic material, and per station.
controlling grazing. Apply 350 grams manure or compost.
• Use of crop rotation and mixing: varying the
crops that are planted each year on the same Step 4: Top dressing use 5grams first application at
piece of land. 3-4 weeks and second top dressing at 8.

Timely Implementation Of All Operations:

• Carrying out all operations at the best time of
the year (preparation, planting, manuring and
fertilisation, controlling weeds and pests)

4
Soyabean production guidelines under Pfumvudza
‘PFUMVUDZA’ is a Conservation agriculture way of
farming that conserves natural resources such as
soil and water, resulting in improved and sustainable
production.

Key principles
• Minimum soil disturbance: digging planting
stations or making rip lines instead of ploughing.
• Mulching: covering the soil with crop residues
PLANTING
(‘stover’) or other dry organic material, and
controlling grazing. SOYABEANS
• Use of crop rotation and mixing: vary - Use of high
management techniques:

Timely implementation of all operations:

• Carrying out all operations at the best time of the
year(land preparation, planting, manuring and
fertilisation, controlling weeds and pests).
Planting Soyabeans under Pfumvudza
Step 1: Mark the field at the standard 39m by 16m
Precise operations:
and prepare planting furrows spaced at 0.75m x
• Paying attention to detail and doing all tasks
0.6m.
carefully and completely.

Step 2: Leave the furrows open until you receive the

Efficient use of inputs:
first effective rains.
• Not wasting any resources.
Compound D: use a level bottle cap (Cup 8) per
60cm furrow row length and spread it uniformly.
Input package
• 5kg Seed
Step 3: Plant immediately after receiving a good
• 16kg Compound D fertilizer
planting rain that fills the furrow.
• 16kg Ammonium Nitrate

Apply rhizobium to seed soon before planting.

Plant soyabeans in the furrows at a spacing of 3cm
between seeds.

Apply ammonium nitrate at 7 weeks using CUP 8

along the 60cm furrow length.

Keep plots weed free, at least 2 hand weeding at 2

and 6 weeks suffice.

5
 Planting of Sunflower
Step 1:
• Prepare planting basins spaced at 0.75m x 0.60m.
• Apply 5g or a bottle cap of lime and mix well with
soil.

Step 2:
• Apply basal fertilizer (Compound D) at land
preparation-either manure or compound fertilizer.
PLANTING • Leave the basins open until you receive the first
effective rains.
SUNFLOWER • Manure: Apply a handful of manure per planting
basin. Cover the manure with a thin layer of soil.
• Compound D: The fertiliser should be scattered
in the bottom of the hole. One No.8 cup should
be adequate.

Sunflower production under Pfumvudza.
• Sunflower is a crop which performs well under
drought conditions.
• The drought tolerance, adaptability to various
soils and low input cost of the crop are its major
advantages.
• The short growth season of the crop, renders it
extremely suitable for producers who make use
of adaptable crop rotation and/or fallow systems.
Input Package
• 2kg Seed
• 16 kg Compound D
• 16kg Ammonium Nitrate
Step 3:
• Plant immediately after receiving a good planting
rain that fills the basin.
• Sow 2 to 3 seeds of sunflower at each end of the
basin.
• Sunflower seeds should not be planted deeper
than 2cms. Sunflowers will not emerge if planted
too deep.
Step 4:
• Thin plants 14-21 days after emergence down to
an average of two plants per basin.
Step 5:
• Apply 5g (cup 5) of ammonium nitrate which
is equivalent to a level bottle cap per planting
basin.

6
Important Points To Timelines and steps
Consider In Site Selection:
1. Creating baseline marking out the plot – 31 July.
1. Reliable water source :
• Farmers are encouraged to plant in first week 2. Digging planting holes-dimensions and
of November before the rains and put 2 litres orientation-31 July.
or more of water in the basin.
• In the event of mid-season dry spells, farmers 3.Liming-31 July
will need to supplement water.
Remember these important points
2. Near homesteads for easy management. 1. Orientation for the rows and correct mulch
placement.
3. Best arable land that are inherently fertilized
inorder to improve yields. 2. When holing out it is important to ensure the soil
from the planting hole is heaped down slope to
4. Fenced enclosure(live fencing preferably) that facilitate water capture.
offer security (destruction from animals)

5. Mulch must be well protected from veld fires .

Ensure fire guards.

7
 ADOPTING THE PFUMVUDZA
CONCEPT ON MAIZE AND
TRADITIONAL GRAINS

Head office: No 1 Borrowdale Road, Ngungunyana Building, Harare,

Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 47 91355

Acknowledgment
Agritex acknowledges the support given by the following farming partners to print
this information pumphlet for farmers across Zimbabwe.

8 where farming
meets thefarmer
Agribusiness
farming is a business
August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 24 Research and Innovation

The use of molecular viral indexing

techniques to detect plant viruses
Authors: M. Ganda, G. Zvobgo, T. Mushapaidze and M. Chamunorwa, Fig. 1 : The collage
Kutsaga Research Station, Molecular Biology Services Division shows various dis-
eased crops
PLANT VIRAL INDEXING More Information more, the conventional
is the process of deter- methods are not exclu-
www.agribusiness.co.zw
mining the presence sive since a single plant
or absence of viruses may be co-infected by
in plants using mor- more than one patho-
phological (Fig. 1) and Although the use of gen, leading to difficul-
molecular biology-based conventional methods ties in identifying the
techniques, among oth- i.e. physiological meth- involved pathogens. Due
ers. It is done to control ods plays a critical role in to the unreliability of
plant viruses and also viral identification, they the conventional meth-
assists in the formula- can be prone to wrong ods, the use of molec-
tion of suitable disease diagnostics, false posi- ular biology-based viral
management strategies. tives and false negatives diagnostic techniques is
Some viral diseases through misinterpreta- extremely convenient for
have typical and clear- tion of symptoms. In ad- confirmatory diagnosis
cut symptoms which dition, physiological and of viral pathogens.
can be reliably used for morphological methods Molecular biology viral
morphological diagno- cannot be used reliably diagnostic techniques
sis, while others share throughout the plant’s are accurate, reproduc-
similar symptoms, hence life cycle as some viruses ible, easy to perform and
posing significant diffi- lay latent for some can detect viruses at all
culties in their diagnosis period only to show stages in the plant`s life
using the naked eye. symptoms when the
plant is at a later stage of ....continued on page 26
development. Further-

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August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 KUTSAGA
SERVICES

Disease Diagnostics Variety Information

Agrochemical Evaluation Services
Seed Pelleting and Filming
Water; Microbial; Pesticide Residue and Formulation and
Soil Testing
Gmo Testing; Dna Fingerprinting; Viral Indexing;
Bacterial Wilt Testing
Barn Recommendation for Growers
PREMIUM QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
For further information contact Kutsaga:
Mobile: 0712 881 814, 0712 886 946, Tel: 086 8800 2604
or visit us at Kutsaga Research Station, Airport Ring Road, Harare.
Whatsapp 0714 980 980, email: sales@kutsaga.co.zw
Kutsaga Research– Maximizing Economic Value
 26 Research and Innovation
....continued from page 24
cycle. Two major molec-
ular biology diagnostic
techniques are imple-
mented in viral indexing.
The first being serologi-
cal which depend entire-
ly on antibodies against
specific viruses while
the other is DNA-based.
The latter includes DNA
probe hybridization,
virus specific Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR)
and biochips (DNA
micro-arrays). Molecu-
lar biology techniques
evidently have great ap-
plication in sustainable
crop productivity.
Most plant viruses are
transmitted by insect
vectors during feeding
either on the plant sap
or tissue. Virus machin-
ery enables transport of
the virus to the vascular
bundle of the plant and
facilitates entry into
the cell. The virus then
utilizes the genes in their
genome to orchestrate
the plant`s machinery
while evading the plant`s
Agribusiness farming is a business
August 2020
defense system. The the reverse is true for a
viral RNA is replicated negative sample.
and exported into the
cytoplasm resulting in The Molecular Biology
toxicity. Thus, when Service (MBS) Division
performing molecular of the Tobacco Research
biology diagnostics for Board is a centre of
viral indexing, the viral excellence for molecular
RNA is targeted for virus biology and utilises Poly-
specific PCR in order to merase Chain Reaction
characterize the nature (PCR)- based techniques
of the virus. for viral indexing across
different sample ma-
When performing trices and viruses. The
virus-specific PCR, total viral indexing service is
RNA is extracted and free of charge for regis-
converted to comple- tered tobacco farmers in
mentary DNA (cDNA), the country and is also
the cDNA is used as a available for non-tobac-
template in a PCR reac- co crops like tomato, Fig 1.2 a. PVY infect-
ed tobacco crop
tion using virus-specific potato and sweet potato (necrotic spots) b.
primers. The resulting for a prescribed fee. Gel electrophoresis
amplicon is passed image showing a
through a 2% w/v For more information, positively PVY infect-
agarose gel in a process contact Kutsaga Re- ed tobacco sample
(lanes 1-2 tobacco
called gel electropho- search Station’s Molec- test sample, lane 3 -
resis against known ular Biology Services positive PVY control,
positive and negative Division on telephone # lane 4 - negative
controls which act as (0242) 575289-94 or toll control, lane 5 - 100
bp size marker).
benchmarks to the sam- free, 0800 4511 or VOIP,
ple being analyzed. The 086 8800 2604, Email:
sample is positive when tobres@kutsaga.co.zw
the band produced co- or visit Kutsaga Re-
incides with the band in search Station, Airport
the positive control and Ring Road, Harare.
www.agribusiness.co.zw
 27 Crops

Crop planting calendar

Agribusinessfarming is a business
August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 28 Livestock

Estimating livestock weight

E stimating your calibrated string Ap- table 1.1 table 1.2 table 1.2 ctd

animal’s weight is proximate weight can Girth Weight Girth Weight 70.5 32.7
(cm) (kg) (cm) (kg) 71.7 34
important not only for be calculated using the 65 35 27.3 2.3 73 35.4
70 40 28.6 2.5 74.3 36.7
monitoring growth but table 1.1. 75 45 29.9 2.7 75.6 38.1
76.8 39.5
also in determining 80 50 31.1 3 78 40.8
85 59 32.4 3.2 79.4 42.2
dosages of certain 90 69
medicines. To estimate
Small ruminants 95 79
33.7 3.6
34.9 4.1
80.7 44
81.9 45.8
100 89 36.2 4.5 83.2 47.6
live weight you will need Measure the heart girth 105 103 37.5 5 84.5 49.9
85.7 52.2
a tape measure and a of small ruminants 110 118 38.7 5.4 87 54.4
115 134 40 5.9 88.3 56.7
weight chart. (goats or sheep) using a 120 150 41.3 6.8 89.5 59
125 170 42.7 7.7 90.8 61.2
tape measure or string. 130 190 43.8 8.6 92.1 63.5
Pull the tape tight Use 135 210 45.1 9.5 93.4 65.8
Large ruminants the table below to esti- 140 230 46.4 10.4 94.6 68.1
95.9 70.3
145 252 47.6 11.3 97.2 72.6
Live weight of large mate the weight table 150 272 48.9 12.2 98.4 74.8
155 295 50.2 13.2 99.7 77.1
ruminants can be 1.2. 160 325 51.4 14.1 101 79.4
165 360 52.7 15 102.2 81.6
estimated by measur- 170 392 53.9 15.9 103.5 83.9
104.8 86.2
ing the chest girth with 175 477 55.3 16.8 106.1 88.4
180 467 56.5 17.7
a tape measure or a 155 508 57.8 19.1
190 552 59.1 20.4
195 598 60.3 21.8
200 648 61.6 23.1
205 698 62.9 24.5
210 748 64.1 25.8
215 798 65.4 27.2
220 850 66.7 28.6
225 905 67.9 29.9
230 969 69.2 31.3

Agribusiness farming is a business

August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 29 Livestock

Broilers: First hour, first day, first week!

FIRST HOUR, FIRST DAY, from previous flocks. 10cm and remove for-
FIRST WEEK! • Prepare adequate eign objects e.g. wires,
heaters, drinkers, feed- papers.
A week before arrival: ers, thermometers and • Apply disinfect on the
------------------------------ lighting with intensity of litter.
• The brooder and all 20 lux.
equipment must have • Put up the side A day before chick
been cleaned, disinfect- curtains at minimum arrival:
ed and rested for 10 ventilation (double ------------------------------------
days prior to prepara- curtains in winter) and • Partition the brooder
tion. false ceiling. to place at an initial
• There must not be • Put litter/bedding stocking density of
any residual matter evenly to a depth of 33 chicks per square

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August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 30 Livestock

metre. vents. #irvinespoultry #irvine-

• Preheat brooding • Maintain a tempera- schickens #poultrycare
area to 33 degrees ture of 32-33 degrees
Celsius for at least 24 Celsius during the day
hours. and during the night.
• Feed and water (with • Mortality to be below
stresspac) to be placed 1%.
at least 6 hours before • Target an average
placement. weight of 177g on day
7.
During the first 7-days: • Encourage the chicks
-------------------------------- to move around and
• On day 3, drop side must be evenly spread
curtains by 10cm from out.
the top to create air

word search

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August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 Delivering

your
...delivering your business directly to farmers
BUSINESS

directly
vering your business directly to farmers
to

farmers
rectly to farmers
agribusinesstalk@gmail.com 0242 790 326
info@agribusiness.co.zw 0774 121 076
MORE THAN CROP
PROTECTION
Synthetic Pesticides
Biological Solutions
Pheromone Trapping
Nutrient Solutions

info@cropserve.co.zw
www.cropserve.co.zw
www.facebook.co.zw/cropserve
+263 - 772306622 / 775082661
16.5 km Peg, Lomagundi Rd, Hre.
 33 Business Information and Tools
Top Agribusiness Ideas
M aking money from an
agricultural business
requires some experience in
developing a business. Be-
fore you decide on an idea,
create a business plan that
includes research on market
demand for the products you
grow and how to get them to
the market. You’ll also need
a proper financing plan, as
most agricultural businesses
require access to large area
of land and farm equipment
to get started.
Below compiled are the
most profitable agriculture
business ideas which can
help those entrepreneurs
in deciding their preferred
business to start with and
make money from within a
very short period.
Flour milling
You can start your own flour
milling business and start
converting grains like wheat,
corns, millet and cassava into
Agribusiness farming is a business
August 2020
More Information
www.agribusiness.co.zw
flour. Wheat flour is a product
that is in high demand in the
baking industry. Flour milling
is something you can do
from the convenience of your
home if you have a small
space that you can mark
out for it. If you do not have
space within your home, you
can rent a small space and
start from there and as your
business expands, you can
opt for a larger space. You
can easily get wheat, corns,
millet or cassava from local
farmers, and then learn how
to process it and make it into
flour. Some of the procedures
include cleaning, grading and
separation, tempering and
then grinding the wheat.
Fruit Juice or Jam
Production
As a young entrepreneur,
you can start making your
own fruit juice or jam and
supply them to supermar-
kets and food stores around
you. There is huge demand
for natural fruit juice now
as more people are now
learning how to eat healthy
and avoid artificial and overly
preserved foods and drinks.
You can buy fruits in large
quantity from local farmers
and make your own natural
healthy fruit juice at home.
Groundnut
Processing
Groundnut is a popular
snack that is loved by very
many people. Take a trip to a
nearby supermarket and you
will see bottled groundnuts
branded and packaged in a
fanciful way. Very little effort
goes into frying and packag-
ing those groundnuts for sale
and distribution. With as little
as $200, you can start your
own groundnut processing
www.agribusiness.co.zw
 34 Business Information and Tools
and packaging business.
And of course, you can do
it from the comfort of your
home. If you can start your
own groundnut farm, you will
get access to groundnuts
cheaply but if you don’t have
a space for groundnut farm-
ing, you can still get cheap
raw groundnuts from farm
markets.
Livestock Feed
Production
A lot of people are going into
livestock farming like fish
farming, pig farming, poultry
farming and a whole lot of
others. As a smart investor,
you can start producing
feed for people to feed their
animals. However, you must
ensure that you carry out a
lot of research and come up
with a product that is rich in
nutrients and would promote
quick growth and good health
of the animals. To start a live-
stock feed production busi-
ness, you will need a grinding
machine, mixing machine,
weighing machine, custom-
ized packing bags and raw
materials for production.
Mushroom Farming
If you have a clean space
in your home, you can start
your own mushroom farming
business today and start
selling mushrooms to hotels,
exporters and pharmaceuti-
cal companies in the next 21
days.
Soya Beans
processing
Soya milk, soya flour, soya
sauce, soya bean oil. Soya
bean milk is a healthy and
nutritious drink that is in high
demand by health conscious
people. You can start a soya
bean milk processing busi-
ness for a little capital.
Agribusiness farming is a business
August 2020
Agricultural
Equipment leasing
With the increase in people
going into the agricultural
business, you can make
money from hiring out equip-
ment like tractors, ploughs,
sprayers, harvesters and
irrigation machines to farmer.
Spice Production
Spices used to make food
like curry, thyme, cayenne
pepper to mention a few are
usually in high demand at
food stores and supermar-
kets. Take advantage of that
by processing and packaging
your own spices.
. commission for it. You can
Poultry and meat
production and
packaging.
There is the general belief
that manually packaged
meat or poultry are not too
hygienic because of the
way they might have been
handled. A lot of people are
now making good money
from machine processed and
packaged meat.
Medicinal and Herbal
plant cultivation
Medicinal plants and herbs
are in great demand both
locally and for export. Grow-
ing medicinal herbs com-
mercially is one of profitable
agriculture business ideas.
Having sufficient land and
knowledge about the herbs
marketing, an entrepreneur
can initiate medicinal herbs
farming with moderate capi-
tal investment
Vegetable Farming
Vegetables are one of the
highly consumed food items
in the world. Starting a vege-
table farm is one of the sim-
plest and easiest businesses
in the world with a high profit
margin of up to 500%.
Aquaculture farming
Catfish farming, Tilapia
farming and crayfish farming
are very good businesses for
young people who are inter-
ested in agriculture.
Agricultural
Brokerage and
consulting
You can start a business in
agricultural brokerage by
linking sellers of agricultural
produce with buyers and get
also become a consultant
and offer expert advice or or-
ganize training and seminars.
Hatchery
Another very good business
for young entrepreneurs is
starting a hatchery for eggs
and selling day-old chicks to
poultry farmers.
Florist
Fresh flowers are generally
used for home decorations
or event decorations and
you can make money from
growing flowers for sale.
An entrepreneur also can
generate a substantial online
sale by offering customers
door-step delivery.
Facilitative services
(credit, insurance,
marketing, storage,
processing,
transportation,
packing,distribution.).
www.agribusiness.co.zw
 35 Business Information and Tools
Fertilizer Distribution
Business
Fertilizer distribution busi-
ness in Nigeria is highly con-
trolled by Government regula-
tion. It is one of the profitable
agriculture business ideas
one can start with moderate
capital investment
Poultry Farming
Poultry farming in Africa
has transformed into a
techno-commercial industry
from the status of backyard
farming. Poultry farming is
the fastest growing sector
in agriculture and farming
business.
Bee Keeping
Beekeeping business
opportunity demands day-
to-day monitoring with close
supervision to the bees. With
the increasing awareness
about the health, demand
for honey is growing globally.
Beekeeping for selling honey
and other products like wax
is a profitable venture to start
with less startup investment
Export business
An entrepreneur can start
export business of farm pro-
duce by collecting them from
local farmers. One can start
this business from home
location only having phone
and computer with Internet
connection
Micro nutrient
Manufacturing
Micro nutrient has an
immense potential in agri-
culture business. Having a
strong distribution strategy,
one can start this manufac-
turing business with substan-
tial capital investment.
Agribusiness farming is a business
August 2020
Botanical pesticide
This is one of the most prof-
itable agriculture business
ideas. It is an essential
and mandatory product for
organic farming. The demand
for this product is increasing
highly.
Basket and broom
production
Are very common products in
rural agriculture scenario. An
entrepreneur can start this
business by sourcing these
products from rural makers
and after giving a ornamen-
tation, it can be sold as utility
or decor item through retail
and online both. To start prof-
itable basket-weaving busi-
ness one requires thoughtful
planning and a high level of
creative mind having flair for
design. Using a wide range of
raw material an entrepreneur
can initiate customized bas-
ket-weaving business from
home location with moderate
capital investment
Fish hatchery
This is a place for artificial
breeding, hatching and
rearing through the early life
stage of fish and shellfish in
particular. Hatcheries pro-
duce larva and juvenile fish
primarily to support the aqua-
culture industry where they
are transferred to on-growing
systems.
Piggery
Having a sufficient landhold-
ing an entrepreneur can start
piggery business. Among the
various livestock species, pig-
gery is most potential source
for meat production and
pigs are more efficient feed
converters after the broiler.
Pig farming requires small
investment on buildings and
equipment.
Tea growing business
Tea business has huge
potential and demand for the
product is increasing globally.
Tea plants typically fare best
in acidic soil and regions with
heavy rainfall (around 40
inches per year), although
they can be grown anywhere
from sea level to altitudes as
high as 1.3 miles above sea
level.
Grocery E-shopping
portal
This is the most trending
business in recent phenome-
na. This tech-based business
opportunity demand proper
planning and strong online
marketing strategy to start.
Landscape expert
This is a personnel who have
enough knowledge in the
field of landscape architec-
ture. The practice of land-
scape architecture includes:
site analysis, site inventory,
land planning, planting
design, grading, storm water
management, sustainable
design, and construction
specification and ensuring
that all plans meet the cur-
rent building codes and local
and federal ordinances.
Dairy Farming
You can start making your
own dairy products like
milk, yogurt, cheese and
butter for sale Commercial
dairy farming is one of the
most profitable agriculture
business ideas. Apart from
milk it produced a quantity of
manure. There is a tremen-
dous scope/potential for
increasing the milk produc-
tion through profitable dairy
farming.
Goats Farming
Goat farming are among the
www.agribusiness.co.zw
 36 Business Information and Tools

main meat-producing ani- vices, agriculture consulting

mals. This meat is one of the
choicest meats and has huge
domestic demand. Due to its
good economic prospects,
goat rearing under intensive
and semi-intensive system
for commercial production
has been gaining momentum
for the past couple of years.
requirement is surely expect-
ed to grow with coming days.
People with experience and
knowledge on a specified
field of farming activity can
consider offering consulting
services to organizations and
farmers.
Source
practicalbussinesideas.com

Maize Farming
Maize is one of the most
versatile emerging crops
having wider adaptability
under varied agro-climatic
conditions. Globally, maize is
known as queen of cereals
because it has the highest
genetic yield potential among
the cereals. Commercial corn
farming by using modern
technology with quality seed
is one of the most profitable
agriculture business ideas..

Potato Chips
Production
Commercial small potato
chips production line can pro-
cess both potato chips and
french fries. As it is a FMCG
product demand is increas-
ing globally.

Fodder Farming for

Goats and Cows
Fodder is any agricultural
foodstuff used specifically to
feed domesticated livestock,
such as chickens, horses,
pigs, cattle and goats. The
term refers to food given to
animals, rather than the food
they forage for themselves.
Types of plants typically
grown for fodder include
alfalfa, barley, oats, clover,
grass and wheat.

Agriculture
Consulting
As with other consulting ser-

Agribusiness farming is a business

August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 37 Fun and Games

There are five differences between these pictures. Can you spot them?
See answers on Agribusiness Talk social media handles

spot the difference

Source: Kuchengetana Trust

Agribusinessfarming is a business
August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 38 Market

Market Contacts
Product Buyer (s) Contact
Maize GMB 0242-701885-99

GMB 0242-701885-99
Sugarbeans
Taflo 0775386077

Rapoko GMB 0242-704538

Millet GMB 0242-701885-99

Staywell 0772235558

Taflo 0775386077

PHI 0773381825

Hyperfeeds 0778 828 849

Delta 0712614158
Sorghum
GMB 0242-701885-99

Wheat GMB 0242-701885-99

GMB
0242-701885-99
(Unshelled)

Ground nuts Taflo(shelled) 0775386077

Tabacha
0777439874
(Unshelled)

Agribusiness farming is a business

August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 39 Women in Agriculture

BATANAI COOPERATIVE GROUP

BATANAI COOPER- projects like keep-
ATIVE GROUP ing goats or cattle
Nyarumwe, Hurun- ADVICE TO WOM-
gwe, Mash West EN:
29 women farmers Let us work hard to
working together support our fami-
for 6 years lies and the com-
munities in which
PROJECTS: Horti- we live
culture
FEMALE FORCE OF
LAND: Communal FARMING
WHY FARMING: For
our consumption
and selling to get
income
SUCCESS: Man-
aged to get vege-
tables for our fami-
lies and get a little
cash
CHALLENGES: Our
borehole some-
times breaks down
AMBITION: To save
money and ven-
ture into bigger

Agribusinessfarming is a business
August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 ?
The The Agribusiness Expert Answers

Agribusiness
Expert
Answers

Q
How do I capture value within the value chain?

A Most of the money in farming is made after

farmers sell their product. Entrepreneurial
farmers actively look for ways to capture
the added value within the value chain. This
increases profits.

Agripreneurs realise that capturing value re-

quires producing for buyers and final consum-
ers. But just producing and selling is insuffi-
cient. This requires greater understanding and
knowledge of value chains and their different
elements. It requires a plan for participating
further down the value chain.

Add value to your farm produce.

Agribusiness
farming is a business
August 2020 www.agribusiness.co.zw
 KUTSAGA
SERVICES

Disease Diagnostics Variety Information

Agrochemical Evaluation Services
Seed Pelleting and Filming
Water; Microbial; Pesticide Residue and Formulation and
Soil Testing
Gmo Testing; Dna Fingerprinting; Viral Indexing;
Bacterial Wilt Testing
Barn Recommendation for Growers
PREMIUM QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
For further information contact Kutsaga:
Mobile: 0712 881 814, 0712 886 946, Tel: 086 8800 2604
or visit us at Kutsaga Research Station, Airport Ring Road, Harare.
Whatsapp 0714 980 980, email: sales@kutsaga.co.zw
Kutsaga Research– Maximizing Economic Value