Influence of Establishment Methods on Yield and Yield Parameters of Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana L. Gaertn) in Ward 24, Zaka District

Finger millet is a climate compliant crop; its production remains low due to poor establishment methods. A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2018/19 at Dorcas Charare plot in ward 24, Zaka district to investigate the effects of establishment methods on yield and yield parameters of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three treatments namely broadcasting, hand drilling and transplanting replicated three times. Results on grain yield showed that transplanting method had the highest yield of 0.51t/ha whilst drilling and broadcasting scored 0.40t/ha and 0.35t/ha respectively. Transplanting method significantly (p<0.05) influenced higher number of tillers (7.13) per hill followed by drilling (2.40) and lastly broadcasting (2.13). Significant differences (p<0.05) were noted on panicle number with transplanting scoring the highest (8.13) and broadcasting the lowest (3.13). It can be concluded from the study that transplanting method realized a higher panicle number, tiller number and grain yield. Farmers must adopt transplanting as an establishment method in finger millet production

Biopesticidal Properties of Aqueous Crude Extracts of Tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum L.) Against Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda J.E Smith) on Maize Foliage (Zea Mays L.) Diets

Pesticidal plants offer valuable and sustainable options for managing Lepidopteran pests with considerable health, environmental and economic benefits in smallholder agro-ecosystem. This study Biopesticidal properties of aqueous crude extracts of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) against fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E Smith) on maize foliage (Zea mays L.) diets. Bio-efficacy of aqueous crude N. tabacum leaf extracts was evaluated under average room temperature at Great Zimbabwe University, Biology laboratory. The treatments were tobacco leaf extracts at four dosage levels (25 %, 33.33%, 41.67 % and 50% W/V ) and a negative control of untreated maize leaf foliage (distilled water) was used. A positive control of Carbaryl 85% WP was also used at label rates. The experiment was arranged in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) replicated three times. Five larvae were placed into each of the experimental jars with maize foliage diets drenched into 10ml of distilled water in each treatment extract to keep the maize leaf foliage moist. Mortality for each treatment was recorded at 2 hourly intervals for 20 hours. Results showed that tobacco crude aqueous leaf extracts had Antifeedent activities against FAW larvae. The highest dose of 50% had significantly higher mean FAW larval mortalities (p< 0.05) than lower dosage (25%) and the negative control after 20 hours. However, 50% concentration was not significantly different (p>0.05) from the positive control and that of 33.33% and 41.67% dosages. The bioassay indicated that the 33.33% extract was superior in toxicity to 25% dose and the negative control but similar to higher extract doses though inferior to positive control. However, the mean mortality of 50% extract was not significantly different (p<0.05) from that of the positive control. This study recommends that 50% tobacco aqueous crude leaf extract dose to be used when controlling FAW in maize in the smallholder sector

Effects of Time of Earthing Up on Yield and Yield Parameters of Irish Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) in Zaka District, Zimbabwe

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) is a strategic national food security crop in that can be used as a supplement for carbohydrates. It is the fastest growing staple food crop and source of income for poor smallholder farmers. There is limited documentation on effects of earthing up irish potatoes on yield and yield components in Zimbabwe. A field experiment was conducted in Zaka district of Masvingo province in Zimbabwe during the 2018/19 cropping season. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of time of earthing up on yield and yield parameters of BP1 potato variety. The treatments consisted of four levels of time of earthing up (no earthing up (control), three, four and five weeks after plant emergence), replicated three times on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Results on earthing-up at three weeks recorded significantly (P<0.013) the highest total tuber yield (21.97 t ha-1) which is 10% higher compared to no earthing up which recorded 14.43 t ha-1. Moreover, earthing up at two weeks had the least number of greening tuber yield (3%), 11% pest damaged tuber yield, 6% unmarketable tuber yield and 45% marketable tuber yield. This is in contrast with no earthing up which recorded 91% greening tuber yield, 25.3% on pest damaged tubers, 59% on unmarketable tubers and 10% marketable tuber yield. Based on the results, first earthing up should be done at three weeks after complete plant emergence at the study area under rain fed conditions for the production of potatoes with improved yield and better tuber quality

A Critical Review of Value Chain for Irish Potato in Zimbabwe with Specific Regards to the Economic Policy: A Review

Potato production and consumption are booming worldwide, greater quantity of it is being processed into food and snacks. It is the most important horticultural crop which is a good substitute for maize to supplement carbohydrates. It was declared a national strategic food security crop on 18 May 2012 by the government of Zimbabwe. This paper critically review the value chain of Irish potato in Zimbabwe with a focus on its any government policy and support with regards to promoting the crop and key stakeholders involved in the value chain. The Irish potato value chain in Zimbabwe has great potential to improve and if well supported, it can contribute to the GDP of the country. This can be done if the government improve on its policy implementation through capacity development of its research and extension workers and more resources have to be availed to this area has showed great potential in terms of marketing and production. The key drivers at production level who will help in ensuring that necessary interventions are carried out to improve long term performance of the Irish potato value chain operate in an enabling environment. This is done by offering incentives to the potato farmers and all the value chain players. The economy of a country is driven by having well thought out policies and interventions that can even subsidies inputs and other raw material required along the value chain

Evaluating the Potential Contribution of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to Smallholder Farmers in Semi-arid and Arid Regions: A case of Chivi, Zimbabwe

Food insecurity in most dry regions in Zimbabwe has taught many people a lesson of using non timber forest products (NTFPs) to reduce food insecurity and improve livelihoods as well as poverty alleviation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential contribution of non-timber forest products to smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid regions. The research was carried out as a survey and data was collected using interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussion. Data was analysed for descriptive statistics using IBM SPSS version 25. Results indicated that 64 % were females and 36 % were males with the majority of participants being married (57.6 %) with only 8.8 % being widowed. Results show that all respondents (100%) indicated that they obtain fruits from the forests as a major source of food during winter and rain season. Vegetables (84.2 %), thatching grass (80.8%) and edible worms (62.5 %) were also major non-timber forest products obtained from the forests by participants. All participants (100%) indicated that income generation, firewood and source of heat for brick moulding were major benefits they obtain from forest with vegetables (74.2 %), brooms (91.7 %) and improved nutrition (85.0 %) being regarded as other important benefits enjoyed by local people from forests. Afforestation and reforestation were regarded as major sustainable forest management practices by all (100%) participants with agroforestry being indicated by only 12.5 % since people had no knowledge about it. NTFPs has capacity of improving food security, human livelihoods and alleviate poverty. People are encouraged to harvest NTFPs sustainably to allow future use. Use of agroforestry can be a best way for managing forests sustainably, improve food security, crop yield, poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation