Agribusiness

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Magazine

CABBAGES & LEAFY GREENS

- A POST HARVEST HANDLING GUIDE

● GOOD MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES FOR PIG
● KEEPING CABBAGE
WINTER BOLTING
● HOW SUPPLY AND DEMAND
AFFECT FARMER’S
PRODUCERS UNDER CONTROL PROFITABILITY

● SWEET POTATO
LEAVES - SERVED AS A
● INTEGRATED FISH-PIG ● CABBAGE
FARMING PRODUCTION GUIDE
VEGETABLE
 In this Issue

04 23 30
04 Crops 23 Agribusiness
Cabbages and Leafy Greens - A Post How Supply and Demand Affect Farm-
Harvesting Handling Guide er’s Profitability

09 Crops 24 Agribusiness
Cabbage Production Guide Addressing unfair trade is a key step in

14 Crops
transforming African food systems

Keeping Cabbage Winter Bolting Under

Control
29 Livestock
Integrated fish-pig farming

17 Crops 32 Livestock
Sweet potato leaves - served as a vege- Good Management Practices for Pig
table Producers

19 Crops 38 The Agri Expert Answers

Cabbage Production Requirements for 1 Q & A.
Hectare
39 Games
20 Crops Word Search & Spot the Differ-
Crop Planting Calendar ence
21 Agribusiness
Haven Construction at Work

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June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

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4 Crops

Cabbages and Leafy Greens - A

Post Harvesting Handling Guide

C
More Information
areful attention to An experienced pick-
proper post-harvest www.agribusiness.co.zw er should be able to
handling can ensure determine the level of
buyer satisfaction and beyond maturity can maturity quickly and
marketing success. result in split heads and consistently by feel and
increased incidence of by the size of the head.
Harvesting field disease. Unhar- The head is harvested
vested cabbage may de- by bending it to one
In Zimbabwe, velop significant infes- side and cutting it with a
fresh-market cabbage tations of alternaria leaf knife. Harvesting knives
is harvested by hand spot and downy mildew, should be sharpened
though in other coun- particularly during wet frequently to reduce
tries machine harvesting weather. These diseases effort and lessen picker
has been attempted. can be spread through fatigue. The head
normal harvesting and should not be removed
A mature head of cab- handling. Harvesting im- by snapping or twisting
bage generally weighs mature heads, however, it since this practice
from 1 kg, depending on reduces yield, and the damages the head and
variety. Cabbage should heads are too soft to results in inconsistent
be harvested promptly resist handling damage. stalk length and trim.
when the heads are firm Immature heads also Broken stalks are also
and mature. Delaying have a shorter shelf life
harvest even a few days than mature heads. ....continued on page 6

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

 Ts and Cs Apply

Brand Of The Year

A subsidiary of
6 Crops

....continued from page 4 complex machines The conveyer can be a

conveniently integrate homemade conversion
more susceptible to and automate most of a grain conveyer or
decay. of the harvesting and a factory-built model
packing functions into a especially designed for
The stalk should be cut single unit. An effective cabbage harvesting.
flat and as close to the but simple harvesting When equipped with a
head as possible, yet aid employs a simple canopy and high-flota-
long enough to retain belt conveyor attached tion tires, a harvesting
two to four wrapper to a tractor that slowly aid can be operated
leaves. Extra leaves act passes through the field during rainy weather.
as cushions during han- alongside the pickers.
dling and may be de- Workers place harvest-
sired in certain markets. ed heads on the con- Collards and Other
Yellowed, damaged, or Greens
veyer belt, which carries
diseased wrapper leaves the heads to a bulk
should be removed, bin, wagon, or even a Collards can be har-
however. Heads with mobile packing station. vested as leaf-collards,
insect damage and
other defects should be
discarded. It is essential
that heads not harvest-
ed be left undamaged
because fields may be
harvested as many as
three times for maxi-
mum yield. Harvested
cabbage can be placed
in bags, boxes, wagons,
or pallet bins, depend-
ing on the harvesting
method employed.

Harvesting aids can

significantly reduce
harvest labour costs,
improve harvest effi-
ciency and cabbage
quality, and speed the
harvest operation dra-
matically. Aids may be
as simple as a modified
farm trailer for trans-
porting cabbage and
boxes or as sophisticat-
ed as a self-propelled
unit costing thousands
of dollars. The more

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

7 Crops

in which case only

leaves of the prop-
er size and maturity
are harvested, or as
head-collards, in which
case the entire plant
is taken. Leaf-collards
can be packed loose or
gathered into bunches
of 8 to 12 leaves and
secured with a rubber
band. Head-collards
are seldom bunched.
Head-collards are
usually harvested when
plants have 16 to 20
mature leaves. Leaves
that show cold injury,
yellowing, mechanical
injury, or insect damage as soon as possible. room controlled to 0°C
should be discarded. Cabbage and leafy and 95 percent relative
It is essential that all greens are particularly humidity is ideal. In this
leaves be of high quality susceptible to wilting environment, the centre
and uniform in colour. and other damage of a medium-sized cab-
from high tempera- bage should take about
Turnip greens, mus- tures. When there is a 18 hours to cool from
tard greens, and kale delay of more than an 26 to 0°C. It is usually
may also be harvested hour or two between not necessary to cool
as single leaves or as harvest and packing, a cabbage by more rapid
whole plants. Fields are water drench or spray means, although some
usually harvested sever- arrangement can help packers use forced-air
al times, but care must prevent dehydration cooling fans to greatly
be exercised to prevent and overheating. decrease cooling time.
damage to the plants. Greens
At the packing shed, Cabbage
the greens are removed Greens that have been
from the bulk contain- Proper packing and harvested during rainy
ers onto a grading belt cooling are essential weather are often
for cleaning, sorting, to maintaining the contaminated with
and packing. freshness of cabbage. soil. They are normally
Freshness can be tested washed in fresh water
by rubbing two heads or in water chlorinated
Post-harvest Handling
together; if they are at 75 ppm before they
Harvested produce fresh, they will make a are graded and packed.
should always be squeaking sound. Cab- Mustard greens, turnip
removed from direct bage should be cooled greens, and kale are
sunlight and transport- immediately after banded into bunch-
ed to the packing shed packing. A refrigerated es. Leaf-collards can

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

8 Crops

be treated similarly. fruits and vegetables Adapted from NC State Exten-

Head-collards are usu- that are known to pro- sion
ally packed with 8 to duce ethylene, such as
16 bunches per con- apples, pears, peaches,
tainer. Leaves that have or tomatoes.
yellowed, show signs of Marketing
disease, or have other To market a crop suc-
obvious defects should cessfully, producers
be discarded. must always be aware
of the supply and de-
Rapid cooling either mand, which vary with
by hydrocooling alone season and locality.
or in combination with To gain and retain a
package icing is essen- market for their crops,
tial to maintaining the cabbage and greens
quality of leafy greens. producers need to
Greens may be held reduce cost per unit and
in refrigerated storage offer buyers improved
under ideal conditions quality by using proper
for as long as two post-harvest practices,
weeks. Cabbage and all such as cooling and
types of leafy greens strict quality control. A
freeze at about -1°C and prudent grower always
are sensitive to eth- makes marketing and
ylene gas. These items post-harvest handling
should not be stored or arrangements before
shipped in proximity to planting.

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

9 Crops
Cabbage Production Guide
Site Selection
Soils can be medium to
heavy with good water
holding capacity. Sandy
soils tend to require
more frequent irrigation
cycles and require high-
er levels of fertilization.
PH levels should be
between 5.5 and 6, so
soil samples need to be
taken prior to planting.
Cabbages respond very
well to compost en-
riched soils. Levels of 20
to 30 tons per hectare
of well-prepared com-
post will benefit and re-
duce levels of fertilizer.
Manure and chicken
litter can also be used
June 2022
More Information
www.agribusiness.co.zw
but must be well broken
down and composted
or root burn will occur.
Manure 10 to 20 tons
per hectare and chicken
litter 2 to 5 tons per
hectare.
Ploughing should be
done to a depth of 30 –
35cm making sure the
old plough pan is broken
up. Ripping then discing
is also a way to prepare
a tilth for planting. Final
tilth must not be too
cloddy or too fine.
It is recommended that
you dip your seedlings
in a solution of Actara to
give the plants 6 weeks
protection from aphids
and white fly. Also apply
a foliar spray of Bion to
the seedlings to activate
the plants’ own defense
mechanism against bac-
terial and virus attack.
Spacing
Planting can be done on
beds during the rainy
season which helps with
drainage and on the flat
during the winter pe-
riod. If beds are made,
they should be 1.5m
center to center with
2 rows on the top of
the bed between 50 to
....continued on page 11
www.agribusiness.co.zw
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11 Crops

....continued from page 9

60cm apart and planting
stations 30 to 35cm in
row.

Planting on the flat rows

can be 50 to 60cm apart
and planting stations 35
to 40cm in row. Plant
populations should
be between 33,000 –
40,000 depending on
market requirements.
Higher plant popula-
tions tend to give small-
er head sizes.

Fertilizers
A balanced basal Com-
pound type fertilizer of
either “A”, “B” or “C”
should be applied prior 2 and 8 after transplant- or speedlings as they
to planting. This can ing. During the rainy are also known, at
be done using a Vicon season if the crop is transplanting make sure
spreader if growing on planted on lighter soils good plug to soil contact
the flat or a ridger type an extra top dressing is made so the root sys-
applicator if planted on might be needed after tem can leave the plug
beds. heavy leaching rains. and quickly enter the
Seedlings fertilizer enriched soil.
Cupping with fertilizer Plant the speedlings as
cups by hand into the Planting with seedlings soon as possible after
planting hole can also is the most practical pulling them from the
be done but the fertil- method as seedlings trays to avoid the tiny
izer must be well mixed which are strong and hair roots drying out.
in the hole to prevent healthy at transplanting Plant into pre irrigated
root burn. Based on soil is the base for a uni- soils in which the soil
analysis results and soil form crop helping with has been made up to
types, rates of fertilizer reduced costs at har- field capacity.
can be applied ranging vest. Plant around 10%
from 600kg – 1,000kg more plugs per hectare After transplanting, a
per hectare. of your selected plant light settling-in irrigation
population, this should is required to remove
Cabbages will require ensure good seedling air pockets between the
around 400kg a hectare selection. plug and the soil.
of AN split into 3 appli- It is recommended that
cations between weeks When using seedlings you dip your seedlings

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

12 Crops

in a solution of Actara to
give the plants 6 weeks
protection from aphids
and white fly.

Also apply a foliar spray

of Bion to the seedlings
to activate the plants
own defense mechanism
against bacterial and
virus attack.
Varieties
Selections of a variety
depends on where it is
to be marketed. Cabbage
varieties vary in size Agronomist for advice During summer produc-
from 2.2kg up to 7kg per of which variety to plant tion, being able to apply
head. Varieties must be and at which time of irrigation during long
selected if to be grown the year and for market dry spells will ensure a
in summer or winter. advice. good even viable crop.
Summer varieties must Approximately 600mm
be “Black Rot Tolerant”; – 750mm of irrigation
this disease comes in Harvesting
should be allowed to
during hot humid weath- Cabbages are ready for produce a good crop.
er and can decimate a harvest when the head is So, planning water usage
crop if not resistant to firm to the touch when from, dams, rivers, and
“Black Rot”. pressed and the veins on boreholes can be worked
the outside leaves just out to match hectares to
Varieties need to have begin to crack. Ideally be planted. As the plant
a waxy layer to deter about 60% - 70% of the increases in size and
“Diamond Back Moth” heads should be cut at leaf area, the amount
from damaging the first harvest, ensuring of water required also
crop. Seed Co supplies a maximum yield poten- increases. Irrigation
good range of varieties tial. should be planned on a
that can be planted in weekly basis and the soil
summer during the rains, Depending on variety se- depletion area checked
with amazing black rot lection and time of year, regularly to plan for the
and Fusarium yellow cabbages mature from next irrigation cycle.
tolerance like the hybrids about 65 – 130 days
Fabiola F1, Delight and after transplanting. The use of an “Evapo-
Marcanta. ration Pan” should help
Irrigation
with this. On medium to
A good “self-wrapping” During the dry winter heavy clay soils irrigation
type of cabbage is neces- months irrigation is es- should be given when
sary to retain quality and sential. Overhead sprin- approximately 25% of
freshness. Color of the kler irrigation is the most available water has been
head is important for the common, followed by used.
market and the shape. flood and more recently
Contact a Seed Co “drip” irrigation. #agribusinesstalk

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

13 Crops

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

14 Crops
Keeping Cabbage Winter
Bolting Under Control
B olting in vegetable
crops refers to the plant
flowering and producing
seed prematurely. In a
cabbage crop this would
result in the produce being
unmarketable and there-
fore reduced income. Bolt-
ing in cabbage is generally
triggered by cold weather
and can be initiated fairly
early in the plant’s devel-
opment, with the bolting
itself occurring when the
plant is more mature.
Factors Inducing Bolting:
The seedling has to have
a leaf width of about 10
cm for bolting induction to
occur. Bolting can then be
induced by temperatures
ranging from 5 °C to 15 °C,
but particularly below 7
°C, provided seedlings are
June 2022
More Information
www.agribusiness.co.zw
exposed to such cold for a
lengthy period of time.
The length of cold required
to induce bolting is de-
pendent on a number of
factors which are;
Fertility of Seed Beds:
Seed beds and seedling
trays that are over fertil-
ized will cause the plant to induction to occur. Gen-
have premature seed shoot
development. This in turn
causes the plant to rapidly
grow and become large
enough for bolting induc-
tion to occur.
Secondly, excess fertilizer, ing point of the plant.
especially Nitrogen, favours A variety with narrow
leaf development over root
development which causes
greater transplant shock.
Size of Seedlings at
Transplant:
Oversized, vigorous
seedlings would be more
inclined to bolt than small-
er seedlings, for the same
reasons as above.
Size of Plant at Induction
Temperature:
There is a minimum plant
size required for bolting
erally this size would be
when the leaf width of
the seedling is about 10
cm. This size would vary
from variety to variety and
would also be determined
by the width of the grow-
....continued on page 16
www.agribusiness.co.zw
16 Crops

....continued from page 14 than those that are early cold areas are more
maturing. The reason prone to bolting that
leaves and thick stem for this may be that the those that come from
could be induced at a growing point of the warm areas and trans-
narrower leaf width. plant, which is sensitive planted into the same
to cold, is quickly cov- field.
Growth Checks: ered in early varieties.
Once the induction has These plants will also #agribusinesstalk
taken place, the re- head before the re-
sponse time to bolting is sponse time has taken
influenced by a number effect.
of factors. If there is a
growth check, then the Later maturing varieties
response time is short- are subjected to cold
ened and the plant can conditions for longer pe-
begin bolting quickly. riods of time which may
These growth checks cause increased stress
can be caused by heat and bolting induction.
waves, drought, water
logging, disease after Heat Susceptibility of
induction size has been the Plants:
reached, fertilizer and Heat resistant plants are
phyto-toxic sprays. more prone to bolting
than heat susceptible
Diurnal Swings: varieties. To breed for
Large diurnal swings are heat resistance, one au-
included to cause the tomatically predisposes
plants to bolt very fast the variety to get early
once induction has oc- induction to bolting.
curred. Induction would To select a safe variety
depend on the lower for the whole year is dif-
temperature of the diur- ficult therefore heat re-
nal swing. sistant and cold resistant
varieties should be kept
Cold Fronts and Heat for their specific slot.
Waves: Heat resistant varieties
are also more inclined
Cold fronts produce to be later maturing
low temperatures that varieties.
may induce bolting with
heat waves shortening Cold Grown Seedlings:
the response period. If
there is succession of It has been stated
such weather bolting will before that the plant is
rapidly occur. responsive to induction
to bolt when the leaf
Maturity of the Variety blade becomes 10 cm in
Varieties that are later width.
maturing can be more
susceptible to bolting However, seedlings
which are sown in very

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

17 Crops
Sweet potato leaves - served as
a vegetable
The Sweet potato leaves,
which grow abundantly in
poor soil, wet soil and rich
soil, can be continuously
cropped until the root
vegetables are harvested.
Some varieties of plants
have naturally occurring
phytochemicals that offer
protection against cer-
tain dangerous diseases.
Sweet potato genotypes
with tops with high
polyphenolic content and
are used as a vegetable,
food ingredient and as a
nutritional supplement
promote good health.
Sweet potato leaves con-
tain high concentrations
of polyphenolics when
compared with the major
commercial vegetables
such as spinach, brocco-
li, cabbage and lettuce.
Thus, sweet potatoes
offer the possibility of
June 2022
More Information
www.agribusiness.co.zw
adding greatly to the
available food supply and
to the available supply
of bioactive compounds
for human health. Sweet
potato leaves are a physi-
ologically functional food
that offers protection
from diseases linked to
oxidation such as cancer,
allergies, ageing, HIV and
cardiovascular problems.
Sweet potato leaves used
as a vegetable, a tea, in
noodles, in breads, in
confectioneries and as a
nutritional supplement
can be a beneficial food
source.
Sweet potato cultivars can
be developed for multiple
uses, especially for special
nutritional purposes of
protecting human health
against the diseases
mentioned above. Thus,
the vegetable sweet po-
tato has the potential to
become a new alternative
crop. But to the process-
ing segment, they offer
more promise.
The high level of phyto ¬
nutrients in sweet potato
leaves provides promise of
a new food additive prod-
uct for use as a functional
food enhancer. Sweet po-
tato tops, able to survive
adverse conditions, could
serve as an additional
leafy green vegetable.
Acceptable sweet potato
tops should be tender, gla-
brous and purplish. Those
eating sweet potato tops
prefer the top 10 cm of
tips including both stem
and leaves. These are the
parts generally eaten in
many countries.
www.agribusiness.co.zw
18 Crops
This preference for 10
cm tops is logical, since
a large proportion of the
leaves in the top 10 cm
are new and tender.
Tips with the largest
number of leaves with
petioles less than 1 cm
long are considered de-
sirable because they are
tender and good for the
table. Researchers and
extension workers could
help make this vegeta-
ble’s tops more appeal-
ing and acceptable.
Therefore, with its
tuberous roots, stems
and leaves that can be
consumed totally, sweet
potato is a crop that
may solve food, energy,
resource and environ-
mental problems in the
21st century.”
Ingredients:
• USE Top fresh tips
of the sweet potato
leaves.
• 300g) sweet potato
leaf )
• 13g curry powder/
paste
• 50ml hot water
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
divided
• 1 finger-length red chil-
li sliced to thin sections
• 4 cloves garlic finely
chopped
• 5 shallots (or 1/4 small
June 2022
red onion) sliced thinly remaining oil in a wok-
pan. Stir-fry grinded
• 1 tomato thinly cut
paste, garlic and shal-
• 1/4 tsp Maggie sea- lots for a few seconds
soning sauce (or fish until fragrant.
sauce) optional
• Add sweet potato leaf
• Tiny pinch of salt to stems and stir fry brisk-
taste ly on high heat until
they start to soften.
• 3 tbsp water add more
as needed • Add the leaves and
• 1 tbsp Red wine
tomatoes.
• Stir fry until the leaves
are reduced in volume.
Directions: Then add curry paste,
chillies, Maggie sea-
• Using kitchen scissors, soning sauce (or fish
snip & separate the sauce), salt and water.
sweet potato leaves
from the stems. • Drizzle Red wine along
the sides of the wok
• Snip the stems to uni- walls during the last 10
form 2-3 cm length. seconds of cooking.
• Optional: Pull & dis- • Stir to coat well before
card the “strings” of serving.
the stems to improve
the texture. #agribusinesstalk
• Wash and dry the
veggies.
• Soak dried shrimps in
a small dish with hot
water until softened,
about 20 minutes.
Reserve and set aside
the dried shrimps
• Prepare grinded spices.
Add garlic and shallots
to an electric food
grinder or blender.
• Add 1 tbsp oil and
pulse for a few sec-
onds.
• Alternatively, pound
the ingredients in a
mortar & pestle or
finely chop them.
• Stir-fry the dish. Heat
www.agribusiness.co.zw
19 Crops

Cabbage Production
Requirements for 1 Hectare

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

 OUR SERVICES
20 Crops Standard soil test for pH, Ca, Mg, Na,
K, NO3, P, TSS
ISO/IEC 17025:2005 ACCREDITED Hortculture test for pH, Ca, Mg, Na, K,
NO3, P, TSS, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe
Irrigation and stock water analysis for
Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, Cu, Fe, pH,E coli,
Coliform and etc
Mechanical test to check soil structure
Plant tissue analysis for N, P, K, Ca, Cu,
Zn etc
Stockfeeds
Fertilizer, compost and manure analysis
Microbiological Evaluation of horticulture
produce for export certification
Food safety and hygiene swabs
monitoring
Soil sampling, surveys and mapping

123 BORGWARD ROAD MSASA 
HARARE ZIMBABWE
+263 242 487545

AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE info@zimlabs.co.zw

Soil Testing for higher quality yields www.zimlabs.co.zw

Soil testing is key for developing the most effective nutrition program that will
result in high yields. We carry out a full chemical test and assist with fertilizer +263 787 176 915
recommendations. Zimlabs is your partner in increasing your farm productivity
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“When accuracy matters”

Crop planting calendar

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

21 Agribusiness

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June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

22 Agribusiness

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an act but a habit

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

23 Agribusiness
How Supply and Demand Affect
Farmer’s Profitability
In a highly competitive market,
every farmer is chasing his own
opportunity for success. Not only
are farmers striving to produce
high yield and deliver quality
crops to the market but also, sell
their goods and finally, achieve
higher profit. Farmers are
therefore faced with a challenge
to survive on the market.
The Relation Between
Supply and Demand
Supply is a term that describes
the number of goods or services
that all producers are ready to
offer on the market at a given
period and price. On the other
hand, demand refers to the
number of goods or services that
customers are ready to buy at
a given period and for a certain
price.
Regarding the relation between
supply and demand, a farmer
should know two important
things:
1. The relation between supply
and demand will determine the
market price of goods or services
June 2022
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orange prices are too high, most
consumers will choose another
fruit at a more affordable price.
As a response to declining sales,
farmers will have to lower the
What does this mean for a
prices until the demand for
farmer? For example, in a case
oranges increases again. When
where a farmer sets a low price,
the demand for oranges is
the demand for his product or
balanced with the supply, the
service will increase. Oppose
market is at its equilibrium.
to that, if a farmer sets a price
which is too high, the demand
In a market that is not controlled,
will decrease.
supply and demand dictate the
market price of goods or services,
2. The market price will
as well as the flow of sales. By
determine the supply and
doing so, this basic economic
demand of products or services
law directly affects farmer’s
profitability, and therefore the
If the market price is high, the
success of his business.
interest of producers for a certain
product or service will increase.
If we look at the big picture,
In other words, the supply will
supply and demand regulate the
increase. Also, if the market price
entire market competition. For
is low, the interest of consumers
this reason, every farmer driven
increases, which means that
by a profit should keep up with
demand increases.
the current situation on the
market and turn the information
Let’s Find a Balance Between
provided by a supply and
Supply and Demand
demand into profit.
Supply and demand, as well
-NDSU
as market prices, will rise
and fall until they achieve a
balance, which is called market
equilibrium. For example, if
www.agribusiness.co.zw
24 Agribusiness
Addressing unfair trade is a key step
in transforming African food systems
by Charles Dhewa
U nfair trading practices
have continued to
characterize African agri-
culture and food systems
for decades.
Determining and setting
prices for agricultural
commodities remains
a big challenge in most
African countries includ-
ing local markets where
the majority of farmers,
traders and consumers
depend for their food and
income. There have not
been convincing answers
to questions like: Who
determines pricing, pack-
aging, measurement and
supply of commodities in
food markets?
How fair is setting
uniform commodity
prices for the country?
June 2022
More Information
www.agribusiness.co.zw
From a recent survey
conducted by eMKambo
in Uganda and Zimba-
bwe mass food markets,
Borrowing best practices most farmers and traders
from developed coun- indicated that setting a
tries where the context is uniform price for agricul-
different, African policy tural commodities for the
makers have for decades whole country is a recipe
been obsessed with for unfair trading because
setting uniform prices for production practices are
major food commodities not standard in different
at national level. How- production zones. Some
ever, there is need for a soils are too fertile while
decent conversation in others need supplementa-
different communities to tion with basal fertilizers.
figure out the extent to In the same country, the
which prices of particular way sorghum or any crop
food commodities can be is produced differs by
uniform throughout the district due to inputs used
country. While the law by local farmers.
of averages might make
sense as part of making Where farmers use animal
food prices uniform across
manure and others use
the country, that can also anthill fertile soils, costs
induce unfair trade. associated with digging
and applying these inputs
www.agribusiness.co.zw
25 Agribusiness

onto the land are often

not taken into account.

There are strong views

that due to different
climatic conditions, sup-
plies have to be carefully
coordinated towards en-
hancing fair trade. If that
is not done, a pocket of
potatoes that cost USD7
in one community can
be sold for double that
price in another com-
munity which is far from
the potato production
zone. Paying attention to
differences in agroeco-
logical regions can assist
in preventing speculative
pricing. This is where
efficient distribution
systems can address
unfair trading practices
by ensuring commodities
are available in areas of
deficit at fair prices.
Drivers of unfair trade in
African economies
Principles of fair pricing
are often lacking be-
cause the majority of
farmers and consumers
cannot tell the difference
between a fair price and
an unfair one due to
information asymme-
try, among other push
factors. For instance, a
trader who travels from
the city to buy ground-
nuts or sorghum in
rural areas can easily set
prices for farmers using
prices in urban markets
where pricing mech- Addressing information
anisms are also very asymmetry empowers
questionable. If the cost farmers to negotiate
of getting reliable market prices with diverse
information becomes buyers and determine
too high for the majority the value of their com-
of farmers, it contrib- modities. The presence
utes to unfair trading of diverse actors in one
practices as those with market also tends to
information on prevail- exacerbate unfair trading
ing market prices end up practices. For instance,
setting rules of the game every African food
for everyone. Many market has micro actors
farmers have never seen like smallholder farmers,
the market in action to medium scale farmers
be able to acquire state- and traders as well as
of-the-art knowledge big farmers and traders
on market behaviour who can set prices for
including price-setting all small actors including
mechanisms. In the consumers. Big actors
majority of African mass with access to finance
food markets, price-set- can influence market op-
ting can take 30 minutes erations as well as those
to one hour early in the who bring huge volumes
morning when the mar- of commodities at once
ket opens. to muscle out smallhold-
er farmers with fewer

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

26 Agribusiness

volumes. Building appropriate production-related costs

financial models for including the cost of
Using aggregation smallholder farmers marketing. Such knowl-
and finance models to can also reduce unfair edge is often missing
reduce unfair trade trade by neutralizing the among extension officers
power held by big actors because tracking price
Making the market fi- who can easily use their trends is not part of their
nancially liquid provides financial muscle to duties. To be able to ad-
competitive advantage manipulate markets in vice farmers on whether
to several market actors ways that lead to salient a particular price is bad,
in ways that ensure fair unfair trading practices. fair, good, better or best,
trade. When small mar- One of the major push extension officers should
ket actors lack liquidity, factors is that farmers be able to track prices
big buyers can go to lack pricing mecha- from diverse markets
rural areas and buy huge nisms. For instance, over a long period.
volumes of commodities they are not sure how
for a song and out-com- much a bucket of maize Is it the role of farmers
pete small local traders, should cost for a farmer to take agricultural com-
imposing unfair trading to break-even. This is modities to the market?
practices in the process. largely because very few One of the emerging
Enabling smallholder farmers do their costings views is that it is not the
farmers to access finance in terms of inputs and all role of farmers to market
for meeting pressing
needs will ensure the
farmers do not sell their
commodities in a hurry
at give-away-prices. This
will reduce unfair trade.
Another potential solu-
tion is aggregation which
will enable farmers in
particular communi-
ties to pool their small
volumes of commodities
into meaningful volumes
so that each farmer
avoids the cost of taking
small quantities to dis-
tant markets. By mini-
mizing individual market-
ing among smallholder
farmers, aggregation
reduces unfair trading
which is often self-inflict-
ing for farmers.

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

27 Agribusiness

commodities. Some- commodities when they It takes alertness and

body should do it in a come on-farm, farm- experience for farmers
trustful manner. Farmers ers should count and to be aware of these
cannot be expected to grade carefully before complex dynamics which
understand a market monitoring the entire can easily translate to
environment which they packaging process. This unfair trade. Farmers
have not known for is where unfair trading may also not know how
three to six months. Due against farmers can hiring transport as an
to unfair trading practic- begin. When armed with individual farmer is too
es, many African farmers information, where a expensive. One of the
are opting to keep their trader insists on buying key challenges is that
small grains and pulses and packing cucumbers market-related costs are
for more than two sea- at USD1 for four tubers, fixed and do not change
sons rather than being at the farmer can demand irrespective of the pre-
the mercy of middlemen. USD1 for five tubers. In vailing price of commod-
On the other hand, some some cases, traders can ities. Harvesting labour
processors also complain bring packaging like a is often over-looked yet,
of being short-changed sack originally intended depending on commodi-
by farmers. For instance, for wheat bran weighing ty, it can be 50c per sack.
some processors and 30kg and re-purpose Out of 30 bags of cu-
buyers have struggled to for buying butternuts, cumber, butternut or any
deal with cases where cucumber, carrots, commodity, a farmer can
farmers bring a good green beans, peas and easily lose seven bags to
sample for negotiating sweet potatoes at 60kg market-related costs.
a deal but the bulky of on-farm. All these have
the consignment may different weights.
comprise low quality
produce different from
the sample. Where
some buyers have tried
to buy at farmgate price,
that has been impossible
because such an expec-
tation does not often
take into account costs
of packaging, cleaning,
warehousing and fumi-
gation at the farm. Rare-
ly can all these services
be done on-farm.

Another critical negotia-

tion weapon for farmers
is packaging. Instead
of allowing traders or
middlemen to pack

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

28 Agribusiness

Opportunities and
challenges for the AFCTA
The fact that African
agriculture is character-
ized by unfair trade is no
longer debatable. This
presents challenges for
the African Continental
Free Trade Area (AFC-
TA). Trade cannot be
considered free when it
is not fair. For instance,
how is the AFCFTA going
to settle for a regional
maize price when African
countries have diverse
climatic conditions and
soils that support maize
production? Is it not
possible that countries
that produce in abun- edgetransafrica.com
dance will set or con- Mobile: 0772 137 717/
trol prices? Obviously, 0774 430 309/ 0712 737
countries or regions with 430
natural climatic condi-
tions favourable to the
production of particular
commodities may domi-
nate or control price-set-
ting. Perhaps AFCTA is
already examining how
current trading practices
are already contributing
to unfair trade, with a
view to correcting exist-
ing anomalies.

charles@knowledgetran-
safrica.com / charles@
emkambo.co.zw / info@
knowledgetransafrica.
com

Website: www.emkam-
bo.co.zw / www.knowl-

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

29 Livestock
Integrated fish-pig farming
T he raising of pigs can
fruit-fully be com-
bined with fish culture
by constructing animal
housing units on the pond
embankment or over the
pond in such a way that
the wastes are directly
drained into the pond.
The system has obvious
advantages:
• The pig waste acts as
excellent pond fertilizer
and raises the biological
productivity of the pond
and consequently in-
creases fish production.
• Some of the fishes feed
directly on the pig ex-
crete which contains 70
percent digestible food
for the fish.
• No supplementary feed
is required for the fish
culture, which normally
accounts for 60 percent
June 2022
More Information
www.agribusiness.co.zw
Culture practices
The ponds measuring
about 1 000 m² may be
located near your house,
of the total input cost so that you can take care
in conventional fish of the fish and pigs and
culture. can discourage poach-
• The pond dikes provide ing. Check and repair the
space for erection of dikes. The pond should
animal housing units. be deep enough so as
to retain more than 1 m
• Pond water is used for
cleaning the pigsties and
water depth during the
dry period.
for bathing the pigs.
• The system cannot be
adopted in all parts of Pond preparation
India due to religious
consideration but it has Drain and dry the pond
special significance in to remove all the weeds
certain areas as it can and fish fauna remain-
improve the socioeco- ing in the pond. If it is
nomic status of weaker not possible to drain the
rural communities, es- pond, all the fish can be
pecially the tribals who killed by applying 15 kg
traditionally raise pigs of both bleaching powder
and can take up fish-pig
and urea for a 1 000 m²
farming easily.
pond. Alternatively, 250
kg Mahua oil cake can be
www.agribusiness.co.zw
30 Livestock

applied which kills all the

fishes and also acts as
organic pond fertilizer.
Pigs are brought to the
pond before stocking
the fish, so no basal
application of manure is
required.
Stocking

• Stock the pond with

fingerlings 7 days
after poisoning with
bleaching powder. The
recommended rate of
stocking is:
• Alterations can be
made on stocking den-
sity and species ratio,
depending on the local The number of pigs develop algal bloom or
conditions. required will depend any other abnormality.
• Grass carp should upon the pond area. Washings of pigsties are
be fed regularly with The excreta of three pigs drained into the pond
aquatic or terrestrial are sufficient to fertilize after sunrise to avoid
vegetation. Liming of a pond of 1 000 m². So oxygen depletion.
the pond is done at three pigs may be raised The pigsties can be
regular intervals. It
helps in stabilization of on a pond of 0.1 ha. As constructed from any
organic matter. About pigs attain slaughter size available cheap materials
25 kg lime shall be within 5-6 months and but the floor must be
required for one year. fish raising of Indian ex- cemented with a slope
otic carp is done for 10- towards the pond. Each
12 months, two lots of pig is provided with a
Harvesting pigs can be raised along floor space of 1-1.5 m².
Due to abundance of with one lot of fish.
natural food in the fish- Source : http://www.fao.
pig pond, the fish attains The pigsties are con- org/docrep/005/y1187e/
marketable size within structed on the pond y1187e16.htm
a few months. Partial embankments in such a
harvesting, therefore, way that the washings
should be done three are drained to the pond
times, depending upon through a delivery chan-
the growth of fish. Final nel. A diversion channel
harvesting may be done is always provided to
after 10-12 months. divert the excreta away
from the ponds as these
Pig raising

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

31 Livestock

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

32 Livestock
Good Management Practices for
Pig Producers
Breeding
• Pigs are highly prolific in
nature and two farrow-
ings in a year should be
planned by adopting
optimal management
conditions.
• For every 10 sows one
boar must be main-
tained for maximum
fertility.
• Breed the animals when
it is in peak heat period
(i.e., 12 to 24 hours of
heat).
Pregnancy
Give special attention
to pregnant sows one
week before farrowing by
providing adequate space,
feed, water etc. The sows
as well as farrowing pens
should be disinfected 3-4
days before the expected
date of farrowing and the
June 2022
More Information be clipped shortly after
birth.
www.agribusiness.co.zw
• Vaccinate the piglets as
per recommended vacci-
nation schedule.
sows should be placed in
• Supplementation of Iron
the farrowing pen after to prevent piglet anemia
bedding it properly. is necessary.
• The piglets meant for
Piglets sale as breeder stock
must be reared properly.
• Take care of new born
• Male piglets not select-
piglets by providing
ed for breeding should
guard rails.
be castrated preferably
• Treat / disinfect the at the age of 3-4 weeks
navel cord with tincture which will prevent
of iodine as soon as it is the boar odour in the
cut with a sharp knife. cooked meat thus it
enables production of
• Feed on mothers’ milk
quality meat.
for first 6-8 weeks along
with creep feed. • Additional feed require-
ments of lactating sow
• Protect the piglets
must be ensured for
against extreme weath-
proper nursing of all the
er conditions, particu-
piglets born.
larly during the first two
months.
• Needle teeth should
www.agribusiness.co.zw
33 Livestock

Sow
Care and management
of sows are very essen-
tial since they are re-
tained in the herd mainly
for breeding. Good man-
agement and feeding
will minimize problems
related to breeding.
Sows should be looked
after with particular care
so that the piglets are
delivered normally and
nursed properly.
Farrowing Sow and
Litter:

• Clean and disinfect the

farrowing pen with • Appearance of milk in piglet anaemia. Oral
a solution of 2 % of teats when pressed administration of iron
phenyl lotion and keep indicates the approach solution (1 g Ferrous
it vacant for a week. of farrowing time. sulphate in 25 ml of
water) 1 ml per piglet
• The pregnant female • Attend the farrowing
once a week can be
may be dewormed throughout. It may last
tried. A second injec-
2-3 weeks before up to 24 hours.
tion may be given at 5
farrowing and prior • Wipe the piglets clean weeks of age.
to admitting into the with towel/straw. Dis-
farrowing pen. Spray • Keep the farrowing
infect the naval cord
with external parasit- pen warm, dry and
with tincture of iodine.
icide (1% solution of clean.
Normal healthy piglets
malathion/cythion, bu- suckle teats within 10- • Needle teeth may be
tox. 0.05 %). Scrub the 30 minutes. Help small removed carefully.
under surface, sides, piglets to suckle.
inter digital space and • The time taken for
udder to remove dirt, • Placenta, dead piglets, expulsion of litter vary
eggs of parasites, dis- soiled bedding etc. from 1 hour to 5 hours.
ease germs etc. with may be removed and The interval between
soap and water just buried in time with the birth of the first
before moving into the least delay. The pla- and that of successive
farrowing pen. centa will be expelled piglets vary from a few
generally within a minutes to 3 hours.
• Move the clean animal short while. About 30 per cent of
to the clean pen 10 piglets are usually born
days before farrowing. • Provide 50 mg iron
in posterior presenta-
(Imferon 1 ml) on the
• Provide light bedding tion. Generally placen-
second day intra-mus-
of chopped straw 2-3 ta is shed only after all
cularly to prevent
days before farrowing. the piglings are born.

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

34 Livestock
Expulsion of placenta
is usually within 3
hours after expulsion
of foetus. Piglets start
suckling within 10-15
minutes after birth.
Artificial heat may
be provided by using
an infrared lamp /
ordinary electric bulb
during cold and rainy
season to avoid death
due to chilling.
Breeding management
The sows come to heat
once in about 21 days.
Good feeding and man-
agement induces heat
(estrus) makes breeding
easy, and larger litter
size. Along with grains,
fish meal. skim milk
or butter milk may be
given 2-3 weeks prior to
breeding to allow a body
weight gain of 200-300
gm/day.
Mating
The average gestation
period of sow is about
112-115 days the normal
litter size is 8-10 piglets.
Older sows as larger
litter size with high birth
weight.
Farrowing
• The pregnant sow
should be shifted to
farrowing pen 3-4 days
June 2022
before farrowing to be started in small
avoid disturbances and quantities of concen-
to settle down in new trate mixtures along
Surroundings. The for- with laxatives like
rowing pen should be wheat bran.
dry, well ventilated and
lighted. Bedding mate-
rial should be provided Care and management
of sucking sows
in the farrowing pen.
• Prior to farrowing
• A sow gives about 150-
time, the ration of sow
200 kg of milk during 8
should be reduced to
week suckling period.
half and should contain
Sows milk is more con-
laxative ingredient like
centrated than cows
wheat bran. The sow
milk hence sow require
should be left undis-
more feed. Allow 1.5kg
turbed at farrowing
of feed for the sow and
and may be helped
add 0.5 kg of feed per
during emergencies.
piglet to a maximum of
Remove piglets from
5-6 kg of total ration.
a nervous sow and
Plenty of Lucerne hay
allowed to suckle
and succulent fodder
under supervision. As
may be provided.
soon as the piglets are
born, they are dried • A few days prior to
with a cloth and placed weaning, the quantity
in warm enclosure pig of feed is gradually
brooder. reduced to restrict milk
flow and dry the udder.
• Brood sows should be
given well-balanced Boar
rations. Feeding should
www.agribusiness.co.zw
35 Livestock

• The boar should be

maintained in a sepa-
rate pen. They should
neither be overfed nor
underfed, since both
will affect its breeding
capacity. It should be
fleshy, and thrifty but
not too fatty. The feed
requirements include
both the demands
for maintenance and
reproduction. During
off-season the boar
should be given plenty
of grasses and le-
gume hay and 2kg of
concentrate mixture.
An additional 0.5 kg
of concentrate may be
given 2 weeks prior to
breeding season.
Trimming of boar’s be tied 2.5 cm away
• Boars should not be
feet periodically will from the navel,
used for breeding
prevent lameness in remaining portion is
earlier than 8 months
boars. The bolt cutters removed hygienically
of age. A young boar
can be used to remove and stumps are paint-
can be used for 15-20
tusks of boars to avoid ed with iodine.
sows in a season and
injuries to sows and
older ones may be • Piglets should be
attendants.
used for about 25-45 nursed after birth.
sows. A boar can be al- • Newly purchased boars They nurse 8-10 times
lowed to serve before should be kept sepa- in a day.
being fed. Not more rately for 2-3 weeks to
• Piglets are born with
than one service per avoid risk of introduc-
4 pairs of sharp teeth
day is allowed during ing any disease into
(2 pairs on each jaw)
breeding season. Older the farm.
which may injure ud-
sows may be used for
breeding season. Older Piglets der or teats. Hence clip
these teeth soon after
sows may be used for
• The piglets are re- birth.
breeding with younger
boars. moved as they are far- • Piglet anemia
rowed and kept warm (Thumps) : Since sows
• Boar should have free in creep space until milk is deficient in iron
access to water and farrowing is complete. and copper piglets
boar pen is kept clean
• Each piglet is cleaned suffer from serious
and dry. Dampness
of all mucous to en- deficiency resulting
should be avoided.
sure that the breathing in anemia. Affected
The boar should be
passage is clear piglets become weak,
scrubbed and washed
dyspeptic, and have
daily and kept clean. • The navel card should distressed breathing.

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

36 Livestock
Milk Feeding
This disease is also called
thumps because of their
difficulty in breathing.
To prevent piglets ane-
mia udder of sow may
be swabbed daily with
a saturated solution of
ferrous sulfate for 4-6
weeks so that piglets can
get these minerals while
suckling the milk. Anoth-
er effective method is in-
jection of iron - dextran
compounds available
commercially.
• Creep feeding: Piglets
take dry feed at 2-3
weeks. Provision of
additional nutrients at
this time is essential to
have maximum growth
and development.
Creep feed is also
called as pig starter for
vigorous growth the
thriftiness, sows milk
alone .is not sufficient
for piglets. Creep feed
contains 25-30% CP.
• Creep is a device by
which piglets are
allowed access to the
concentrate mixture.
It may be arranged of
the corner of farrow-
ing pen. Creep feed is’
fed from 14-56 days.
The composition is as
follows.
Ingredient/Parts
Maize 65
GNC 14
Molasses 5
June 2022
Wheat bran 10 Un bred sows
Fish meal 5 Pregnant sows
Mineral mixture 1 Sows at the time of par-
Antibiotics - turition
• Weaning of piglets: Lactating sows
Usually weaning is Manure disposal
done at 7-8 weeks. The
sow should be separat- The dry solid dung may
ed from the piglets for be collected morning
a few hours each day and evening and stored
to prevent stress of in the dung shed. The
weaning and its feed is liquid part of urine and
reduced gradually.
washings may be taken
• Orphan piglets : Can to settling tanks.
be raised either with a
foster sow or the use Integration
of milk replacer
Pigs can be effectively
integrated to a biogas
plant for meeting the
Nutrition cooking /lighting de-
mand of the farmers. It
The nutritional require- can also be integrated
ments of swine vary with to agriculture and fish
sex, age and physiologi- culture thereby increas-
cal status of the animal. ing the overall economic
According to the nutri- efficiency of the system.
tional requirements, The pig dung is good
swine can be classified
organic manure in dried
into 11 distinct groups as form or as compost.
follows.
Young pigs:
Pre starter pigs (2-5 kg)
Starter pigs (5-11 kg)
Grower pigs (11-23 kg)
Weaning to market pigs:
Growing and finishing
(23-57kg)
Finishing (57-91 kg)
Adult males:
Boars
Adult females:
Gilts
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I

?
The The Agribusiness Expert Answers

Agribusiness
Expert
Answers

Q Are there any areas to avoid during soil sampling?

A • Avoid taking
soil samples
along the
farm bound-
aries.
• Avoid areas
where their
is manure.
• Avoid areas
with trees.
• Avoid
swampy
areas.

June 2022 www.agribusiness.co.zw

39 Fun and Games

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40 Fun and Games

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