Wheat undergoes various stages before it reaches maturity. Farmers need to know what these stages are if production is to be optimal, says Dr. Eric Morojele. Knowing at which stage of development wheat is most vulnerable to certain pests, diseases or weed increase can significantly help to reduce production losses.…
Wheat can be produced under varied climatic and soil conditions. The reason is the diverse genetic material available in the form of different cultivars. Production regions (in South Africa) can be divided into 3 broad areas: • the southern, winter rainfall; dryland area; • the northern, summer rainfall; dryland area; and…
The farmer has full control over soil tillage so he must plan his actions carefully to ensure that his specific problems are solved when he tills his lands. Favourable conditions for wheat production include creating soil in which sufficient water is stored for germination and early plant development. This is…
Everyone, from the farmer to the baker, have their own ideas about what makes good wheat. Certain wheat qualities should, however, always be kept in mind. It can take at least 10 years from when a wheat crossing is made until a cultivar is released to the industry. Wheat breeders…
The Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) says Zambia will face another wheat deficit this year. Last year, the nation was short of 250 000 tons of the national consumption of 540 000 tons. MAZ President Andrew Chintala says producers have not indicated whether they have harvested sufficient stocks this year…
The International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) has developed a set of heat-resistant durum wheat varieties that can withstand up to 40°C and help farmers in Senegal River Basin of West Africa adapt to climate change-induced droughts. In a scientific paper released early this month, ICARDA…
The University of Zambia (UNZA) School of Agricultural Sciences has developed a new wheat variety to bolster production in Zambia. According to the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU), the new variety has a higher yield component and a farming season beyond winter, thanks to its ability to withstand heat. “This…
Wheat farmers in Zambia have hiked the price of wheat to US$420 from US$370, meaning the price of bread and other wheat products will soon increase as well. Zambia Wheat Growers Chairman Donald Burton said the hike was triggered by the 75% increase in electricity tariffs, as well as an…
It is the season af marketing and trade, during which maize move across borders in southern Africa. Due to the general good harvest and abundant supply, prices remain low, except in eastern Africa, where the harvest is still going on. KENYA Maize imports have increased from mid-June and harvesting is…
Better yields in 2017 has seen grain prices plummeting across the markets of the region, but it is not all bad news for farmers, according to Absa Bank's regional update. ZAMBIA Soya Beans prices have plummeted and are now trading around $265 per ton. Some off takers are rumoured to…
It looks like the fall armyworm (FAW) is now developing an appetite for wheat after already causing serious damage to southern African summer crops earlier this year. The pest (Spodoptera frugiperda) which damaged crops like maize, sweet corn and sorghum was also seen in wheat production areas in Zimbabwe. Grain…
The import of 150 000 tons of wheat to avert a looming national shortage is hanging in the balance because of the 10% import duty, says Andrew Chintala, president of the Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ). “The 10% duty on imported wheat is too high and must be waived because…
This is you monthly update on southern African markets. KENYA In late March, the Government of Kenya issued an alert on the outbreak of Fall Armyworm (FAW). It has infested crops in Western, North and South Rift regions affecting the following counties: Baringo, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Kericho, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok,…
Zambian farmers and grain buyers will have access to a futures market from Monday. A landmark deal between Zambia Agricultural Commodity Exchange (ZAMACE) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has been brokered to open the door futures market for Zambia. Futures will give farmers the ability to sell grain and…
The Zambian government has approved the import of 150 000 tons of wheat to avert a looming shortage. Confirming the development, Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) president Andrew Chintala called on government to also waiver duty on the import of the commodity to maintain stable prices of wheat products. “The…
Mr. Dave Gordon is a commercial farmer and owner of Sable Farms in Zambia’s Chibombo district. He will also be a VIP visitor to the 2017 Agritech Expo at Chisamba from 27 to 29 April. Annemarie Roodbol, a journalist for the organisers, asked him a few questions Please tell us…
The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) is opposed to a proposal by millers calling for an import duty waiver on wheat. According to ZNFU, the proposed waiver would be detrimental to local wheat production. “Zambia should consider adopting the South African system of supporting local production of wheat by maintaining…
Werner Swart, along with his partners, has developed a portable drying system for grain storage which allows him to rapidly and successfully dry grain and oil seed in silo bags. By drying and storing grain and oil seed in polyethylene silo bags, farmers are able to harvest sooner and thereby…
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) has said that African farmers should farm smart and increase production, without necessarily using more land. Unless this happened, there would be a food crisis by 2050 with the world population expected to have doubled. The Addis-Ababa based think-tank on grain production,…
The Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) has said that Zambia needed to import 250,000 tonnes of wheat to avert an acute shortage that would result in price increases for bread and other wheat products. According to MAZ, the national current wheat stock was just below 300,000 tonnes and would only…
Mr Senzeni Zokwana, the South African Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said there were plans to approach Angola for the availability of land for South African farmers to produce staple grains to counteract grain shortages during drought. Zokwana was a keynote speaker at the African Agri Investment Indaba in…
It is expected that economic growth in Zambia will improve in the coming months as drought conditions weaken. After the previous El Niño conditions, Zambians can expect La Niña weather conditions in the next production year. In Zambia, La Niña conditions usually causes normal to above normal rainfall from October…
The Zambian Commodity Exchange(ZAMACE), in conjunction with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange(JSE), recently finalised their grain futures contracts. These contracts would provide a tool for farmers and grain traders to protect themselves against future movement in prices, and will also allow grain traders to proved competitive prices for their clients. If…
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) director of derivatives, Chris Sturgess, said Zambia has the opportunity to become the regional hub for price discovery and price risk management of non-GM crops, with the new Zambian futures contracts. The JSE, the Zambian Commodity Exchange (ZAMACE) and various other role players met last…