11 Feb 2014

The Ministry of Agriculture has for the second time extended the deadline for ploughing/planting operations for 2013/2014 cropping season under the ISPAAD programme.

A press release from the ministry stated that ploughing/planting in south of Dibete cordon fence had been extended from January 31 to February 14 while dates for the northern part of Dibete cordon fence were from February 15 to 21.

Thus, the ministry said farmers and private tractor owners who engaged in ploughing/planting outside the above mentioned deadlines would not benefit from the ISPAAD programme.

It stated that the decision to extend the ploughing season in the southern part of the country was a result of the late and torrential rains in those areas rendering most fields either inaccessible or the soil being too wet for any ploughing and planting operations to be carried out effectively.

However, the ministry advised farmers that this was still a once off dispensation owing to the prevailing weather conditions.

Farmers were further advised to plant early maturing varieties to beat the onset of frost. It said, in the event of crop failure due to late plantings, farmers were encouraged to use the failed crop for production of animal feed.

Meanwhile, the measured planted area was over 70 000 hectares as of January 31.The ministry further advised farmers and tractor owners to continue to observe the cut off dates for ploughing/planting which were determined by the climatic conditions such as the onset of winter and reduction in day-length.  

The release stated that in the southern part of the country, winter came earlier than in the northern part, hence the different cut off dates. Ends