Tashinga Agricultural Consultant Firm

16/07/2021

06/07/2021

*Severe Frost Destroys Horticulture Crops as temperatures droped to minus 14 degrees Celsius*

Several areas in zimbabwe have experienced massive frost bites during the night due to extreme temperature drops ,Bulawayo , Chimaninani , chitungwiza , Mazoe and peri-urban farmers have lost their horticulture crops and citrus produce worth thousands of dollars to frost following a cold-spell experienced in the region over the weekend.Green mealies, tomatoes, leafy vegetables and peas affected including potatoes . Most crops on higher ground survived ,

Areas affected not limited but include
Bulawayo , Matebeleland ,Nyanga Juliasdale, Nyamhanga, Troutbeck, Rusape,Mazoe, Nyadire ,Beatrice ,Mtoko and Norton

one farmer had to say "
“I lost my entire one hectare of tomato crop to the frost. All along I have been irrigating my crop every day to prevent the frost, but it was all in vain. This is a big loss considering that the tomatoes were near ripping stage,” said Langton Mwale who owns a plot along Airport Road.Mwale said since he started farming in 2012, he had not experienced such a severe frost, which damaged his entire crop Saturday night.The frost also left a trail of destruction at a flower producing farm in Richmond area."

30/06/2021

*January disease poses _New_ threat in Midlands*

```Shurugwi and Mvuma.```

Tick-borne diseases have continued to pose a serious threat to the national herd, with huge losses to farmers in the Midlands province.

Midlands Veterinary Provincial Director Dr Martin Sibanda has confirmed the deaths of cattle in huge numbers and said theileriosis, also known as January disease has affected parts of Shurugwi and Mvuma.

He said intensive dipping is the only way to curb tick-borne diseases.

“January disease is continually affecting cattle in commercial areas of Shurugwi and Mvuma. We are losing cattle in huge numbers.

“We urge intensive dipping that is three dippings in two weeks to clear the ticks, said Dr Sibanda.

Dr Sibanda said drugs are not recommended because they stay for a long time in animals.

He said most animals were dying as farmers were having challenges to access dipping chemicals.

“The problem is mainly as a result of erratic dipping experienced in most areas during the last rainy season due to shortage of dipping chemicals in the country,” said Dr Sibanda.

Some farmers have resorted to selling them at give-away prices before they succumb to diseases.

The problem of tick-borne diseases began in 2017 when the national dipping programme started facing serious challenges.

Dr Sibanda said most dip tanks are not offering the recommended weekly dipping due to lack of dipping chemicals.

He said there is also a low turnout at dip tanks.

*Shared by Hotseat farming*

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30/06/2021

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