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CONTENTS 14 22 10SMALLHOLDER MARKET-LED SPECIAL REPORT HIGH VALUE CROP ANDPROJECT (SMLP) International Conference on Livestock Value HORTICULTURE PROJECTWomen leaders learn from each other as Chain Finance and Access to Credit European Union funding a project to reduceSWADE rolls out life changing programmes and ultimately eliminate vegetable imports28 32 28TOURISM HIGH ALERT BROILERSProposed development of Matsamo Lake to Invasion of army worms from February 2017 Tips for achieving uniformity in broilerchange fortunes for Northern Hhohho folk a blow to expected to good maize harvest production 38 281446 191234 30 FOOD PRESERVATION36 POULTRY COOLING SYSTEMS Food preservation has become an increasingly 39 Controlling the environment in poultry important of the food industry 44 houses can help to reduce mortalityCOVER PHOTO: Courtesy of Anette Dlamini-Mngadi’s breeding farm, Bhekinkhosi, Luve, 42Manzini. Read our flip-book version ONLINE for FREE! www.agribusinessmonthly.com4 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
FROM THE EDITORServing agriculture since 2012 Vision Happy Birthday, YOUR MAJESTY!First choice reference for business and farming Mission To contribute to the growth of business and agriculture as solutions to food security and economic development in Swaziland PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR: Sibusiso Mngadi - 7683 8729 WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS: His Majesty King Mswati III is that he ate his food well and didnot develop Lunga Masuku a reveered leader for various kwashiorkor. reasons. One of his admirable Diccon Robinson feat was the ability to lead a In this issue, we have many examples Mncedisi Simelane nation towards rapid economic growth of people who are inspired by His Majesty’s Emmanuel Maphanga and development from a tender age of 18 vision to develop Swaziland into a first years when he ascended to the Throne. world country. One of them is the new Paul Rogers There is no doubt that the Ingwenyama, chief executive officer at the Swaziland Manqoba Fakudze currently chairman of SADC, has the Water & Agricultural Development ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE: qualities of a great leader. Enterprise, Samson Silwayiphi Sithole. He Lungile Simelane - 7608 2878 is implementing several projects all aimed at GRAPHIC DESIGN: What sets him apart from other world improving livelihoods through agriculture. Vuyani Akena - 7655 1554 leaders is that he is the smartest. A smart leader seeks to inspire rather than prescribe A number of Swazis are successfully PUBLISHED BY for his followers. This goes beyond leading commercialising beef production on Swazi Blinky Investments Pty Ltd by example but it is the execution of actions Nation Land (SNL) and neighbouring 3rd Floor, Sokhamlilo Building, Dzeliwe that directly appeal to the imagination, as countries are already flocking the kingdom well as the heart and mind. in numbers to learn about these successful Street, Mbabane initiatives. P.O. Box 7777, MBABANE To make sure you are still following, let me make an example. His Majesty envisions Plans are already at an advanced stage TEL: +268 2502 0013 a prosperous kingdom free of poverty to drive local vegetable production to meet CELL: +268 7683 8729 and hardship for his people. He sees great the demands of the country and export the EMAIL: [email protected] improvement in key areas such as health, surplus. OR: [email protected] education, food security and infrastructure. WEB: www.agribusinessmonthly.com This vision, aptly dubbed the “First World” A young man from Ngwempisane areaThis publication is registered in terms of the is reachable to the King because it is not only near Mankanyane is exporting fertile eggs Books and Newspapers Act, 1963. realistic and feasible but also demonstrates for indigenous free range chickens and Licence and Registration Certificate his love for his people. quails to the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique. He operates a hatchery and Number: 03001420 More importantly such a vision inspires breeding centre on SNL. VAT Number: 100-451-276 all of us to build self-confidence and regard ourselves highly by thriving for greater It is becoming clear to me that we are Copyright heights. Many people, especially in Africa, gradually marching into the first world © 2016 Agribusiness Monthly & have failed to reach their full potential through agriculture. because of their inability to think big. It is Blinky Investments Pty Ltd like Africans are destineed to be poor for the We at Agribusiness Magazine take this Distribution rest of their lives. opportunity to salute you Your Majesty for your intelligence and ability to see beyond Floatsam Pty Ltd, Mbabane. The King knows this and goes out of the horizon. Your insightfulness is making Tel: 2404 1438 his way to encourage us. When a mother sure that our children have a great future tells her three-year-old son to eat his food ahead of them in this country. Reproduction & Printing so that he grow big like “daddy”, the child Richards Bay Printers doesnot regard such talk to be farfetched. Happy Birthday Your Majesty. Bayethe! +27 (35) 751 1210/1 In fact, he makes sure to finish his food to Wena WaPhakathi! ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. fulfill his mother’s prophesy. It is common knowledge that children see their parents as Sibusiso Mngadi Opinions expressed by contributors, role models, (well until further notice). Managing Editor columnists and correspondents do not necessarily reflect those of Agribusiness Whether the child grows to be his father’s size or suddenly takes after the Monthly. mother or any other family relative is neither here nor there. The important thing remains agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 5
KING’S BIRTHDAY SUPPLEMENTKing name and title became Mswati III.of all nations As a young boy, PrinceHis Majesty King Mswati III was Prince Makhosetive was Makhosetive enjoyed marchingborn at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial educated at Masundvwini and drilling to the extent thatHospital in Manzini, Swaziland, Palace School and later went to when he was four years heon 19th April 1968, that is a few Sherborne School in the United wanted to become a membermonths before Swaziland attained Kingdom until 1986 when he of the royal guard. A year laterindependence from Britain. At returned to Swaziland to be his dream was fulfilled when hebirth, he was named Makhosetive installed King of Swaziland. became the first young cadet(“King of All Nations”). According to tradition, his official to join the Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF). Boys of his age later joined him. Prince Makhosetive took his military training seriously. When he was not at school, he spent his spare time training with the soldiers at the Masundvwini Military Barracks near Etjeni Royal Residence. Prince Makhosetive was introduced to the Swazi Nation and the whole world at large as the Crown Prince in September 1983 and was crowned King of Swaziland on 25 April, 1986, at the age of 18, making him the youngest ruling Monarch in the world. The King and Queen Mother or Indlovukazi (she- elephant), rule jointly.6 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
KING’S BIRTHDAY SUPPLEMENTHis Majesty King Mswati III has a vision of seeingSwaziland become a FirstWorld nation by 2022. HisMajesty outlined his great vision on the occasion of the “Common Wealth Heads of Government Meeting, 2009”. Here is an extract from His Majesty’s speech:“The Kingdom of Swaziland continues His Majesty’s Vision 2022to use its resources and capabilities toexpand opportunities for both foreign Information Communication Technology country boasts a very rich culturaland local business, as part of our (ICT), research and high-tech industries. events such as the Umhlanga – Reednational strategy for socio-economic Dances which starts off with that ofgrowth. We spare no effort in our drive “We realise that our economy women around July and culminatesto access and secure international will continue to benefit from the in that of maidens in the last weekmarkets for products as we see this to advancement of information and of August. The Kingdom will bebe a crucial link to the global economy. technology in all areas of our operations. commissioning a new and biggerAll our programmes and initiatives are I am confident that if used correctly and international airport in early 2010. Ourguided by our National Development creatively, ICT holds the key to solutions new international airport is strategicallyStrategy – Vision 2022. The Vision’s main to the various challenges we face. located between major regional wildlifeobjective is to improve the standard of Swaziland sees a golden opportunity in parks and harbours and is the bestliving for all our people through access the use of ICT for research, particularly gateway into the proposed Lubomboto quality services, wealth creation and in the area of industrial development Game Reserve.employment opportunities. and other fields. In this regard, we are establishing a Science and Technology Peace and Stability “It spells out all the key macro- Park and Centre of Excellence. In “Since Swaziland became a nationsectoral strategies that need to be in realisation of the fact that education is we have continued to progress underplace so that by 2022, the Kingdom key to the development of our people peaceful and stable conditions. We haveof Swaziland would be in the top a decision has been taken that we used this attribute as a major draw for10 percent of the medium human shall be offering free universal primary attracting investment as we offer andevelopment group of countries founded education – albeit on an incremental investor-friendly environment that suitson sustainable economic development, basis. Government funds the education the needs of even the most discerningsocial justice and political stability. It of orphaned and vulnerable children. prospector. As a peace-loving nation, theis noteworthy that the UN Millennium Kingdom of Swaziland strongly believesDevelopment Goals (MDGs) fit very well Investment Opportunities in promoting dialogue to addressinto our national vision. “The Kingdom offers vast national issues and challenges. It is for opportunities in agribusiness, mining, that reason that our country is known all “We are committed to address issues tourism and light manufacturing. As a over the world to be an oasis of peace.of poverty and access to quality health, result of our open market policy, skilled Conclusiongender equality, social integration and human resource, modern infrastructure “As the Commonwealth Heads ofthe pursuit of development models and political stability, to name just State and Government are meeting inwhich place emphasis on environmental a few, Swaziland is a safe and stable this beautiful Island of Trinidad andprotection. However, efforts to achieve investment haven in our region. Tobago, I wish our organisation greatour objectives are often negatively Tourism success in dealing with all the issues andaffected by several challenges including “The Kingdom of Swaziland sees challenges that humanity faces today.”disease and epidemics such as HIV tourism as a major income earner andand AIDS, climate change and the a vehicle to bring people of differentglobal financial crisis that the world cultural backgrounds together. Ourexperienced recently. The latterhas been a drawback to many of ourinitiatives especially because it affectedour export-based industries. We realisethat our economy is still primarily agro-based, our programmes have openedopportunities in mining, energy, tourism, agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 7
In August 2016, His Majesty King Mswati III took over chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), taking the baton from Lieutenant General Dr. Seretsekhama Ian Khama of thePresident of the Republic of Botswana. Here is an excerpt from his acceptance speech.Acceptance Speech by new SADC Chairman Introduction projects in the region. During our tenure and training, tourism and finance, It is an honour and priviledge for we intend to focus our energies towards among others, which can provide thethe kingdom of Eswatini to be given this raising these funds which we hope will much needed job creation, especiallyopportunity to host this 36th Summit of not only come from member states but for our youth.Heads of State and Government. also from our international partners. As a country and member of SADC we The lack of resources has also stalled We do believe that the SADC has acommit ourselves to doing our utmost the full attainment of the Sustainable lot to offer for investors as we have abest to make sure that during our Development Goals. dynamic workforce that is committedtenure, we uplift SADC and enhance her to working hard for the benefit of theefforts to overcome the challenges faced We therefore, have to speak in one region.by member states. voice for resource mobilisation. They Your excellencies, allow me to say a unified force is stronger than We need to have a well coordinatedtake this opportunity to pay tribute to a unilateral force. SADC represents system to create an enablingour outgoing chairperson, Lieutenant a unified force, so we hope we can infrastructure to promote a variety ofGeneral Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, strengthen our capabilities and speak as projects that can contribute positivelypresident of the Republic of Botswana, one family. to our development.for the exemplary manner in whichhe steered our organisation during There should be no room for failure We also need an effective monitoringthe last year. I am sure you will all as our success will have a positive and evaluation mechanism to trackagree with me that he kept the thrust impact on our region and create a better progress on whether we are able toon our agenda very high and the future for our people. achieve set targets.progress we have made is inspiring forthe region. I also wish to thank your A region conducive for investment We propose that at the end of thisgoodselves, all the SADC Heads of State Your excellencies, As heads of summit we should set ourselves timeand Government, for your usual and state and government we should aim frames for our programmes so that weunwavering support. to develop the region into one that are able to present the milestones we Theme offers the world a conducive investment have achieved during the next Summit. Our Summit this year is being held climate that is ready to host any investorunder the theme “Resource Mobilisation in a country of his choice.We need to These achievements should befor Investment in Sustainable Energy attract industries in research, education comprehensive with top priorityInfrastructure for an inclusive SADC being economic growth. The world isIndustrialisation for the prosperity of the confronted by financial challenges withregion”. sluggish economic growth. This therefore This theme is derived out of thedesire to see the numerous initiativeslaunched by SADC over the years becomea reality for the benefit of our peoples.We have reached a juncture where asMember States, we need to show commitmentto our objectives by contributing to aFund that would serve as start up capitalfor our programmes and projects in thevarious sectors. This fund can be used as collateral aswe seek to raise funding from externalsources to implement infrastructure8 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
has negative effects on our region which 1. SADC Heads of State take a natural disasters. If our systemshinders our development and slows our group photo. have shortcomings, we then need togrowth. 2. His Majesty whispering strengthen this centre to be more something to President Robert effective. We cannot afford to experience Mugabe of Zimbabwethis every year because of the multiple 3. His Majesty sharing a light This information, if provided earlyprogrammes we have to fund. Our task is moment with President Jacob Zuma enough, could also prompt governmentsto find solutions to this challenge. of the Republic of South Africa to build dams for harvesting water on time. Investment in energy However, if we adopt thought Your excellencies, as the Kingdom of processes that encourage positive SADC University of TransformationEswatini, we recognise that investment thinking such as the Blue Ocean Your excellencies, The kingdomin sustainable energy is a catalyst to the strategy, SADC members would realise of Eswatini wishes to dedicate therealisation of the SADC industrialisation tremendous results. establishment of a SADC University ofagenda. Transformation which will be the next Investment in energy will contribute Therefore, I urge you all that from milestone in our journey which startedtowards increasing productive this Summit let us use our exposure to in 1980.capabilities for a sustainable and well developed countries to instill the The university for transformationinclusive industrialization. To this end, belief in our fellow citizens that life in will deliver in educational and trainingit is our view that we must continue to a first world country was possible for all terms, using the technical vocationalfocus on the priorities espoused by the Africans. educational training model of delivery.revised Regional Indicative Strategic This initiative will give new hope Development Plan (2015 – 2020). Drought and opportunity to our youth and our The three core pillars of the strategy Your excellencies, Today we are women. The intention is to have theand roadmap are industrialization, confronted by drought and yet most first intake of students prior to the 37thcompetition and regional integration. of our citizens depend largely on Summit in 2017. Innovation and creativity agriculture for a living. The drought The Swaziland Government is As we gather here to put our has come at a great cost to our cattle offering scholarships for 300 students incollective minds towards finding and caused water rationing. If this the initial intake to be drawn from allsolutions for the challenges we face as a could be prolonged, it would be even 15 community members – which is 20region, we need to start thinking outside more disastrous for many people in the students per member country.the box. region. This will also cause severe food Your excellencies, we warmly and Africans were not born to be poor. shortages. Agriculture also provides whole heartedly commend the SADCWe are highly capable of becoming employment and contributes to our University of Transformation to you andinnovative and creating a first world economies. We therefore have a huge the Kingdom is asking for support for thisstatus for our nations. We must however, challenge to address the effects of imaginative initiative from all my fellowdiscard the tendency of failing to drought by improving our weather Heads of State.support one another. forecasting systems. Regional elections We are reminded of a Swazi man who I am glad to note that SADC has Your excellencies, May I alsoapproached King Sobhuza II with the set up a centre for signal detection take this opportunity to thank thedream of building a helicopter. The King to warn of impending drought and people of the Republic of Tanzania,was encouraged by his innovation and Seychelles, and Zambia for theirinvited him to present his project to the peaceful presidential and Parliamentarynation. elections. Even though the results for Unfortunately, the helicopter flew the Zambia elections have been putfor only five kilometres. When it could on hold due to court processes, wenot take off to fly back home, people wish to encourage patience as well aslaughed at the man and even questioned acceptance of whatever ruling that mayhis state of mind. Naturally he was come from the courts.”discouraged. What we failed to realisewas the innovation and creativity ondisplay. All it needed was support toempower him.There are many such cases across Africawhere we fail to support innovativeand creative people because we do notbelieve in them. agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 9
maintain a functional and internationally recognised quality infrastructure. Science, research and technology This year our innovation parks will commence key initiatives that present good economic growth and job creation prospects for the country. The nation welcomes all the companies that are lined up for operation and construction at our parks this year. The infrastructure and support services at our parks will ensure that these companies grow into multi-billion entities. The country has set itself very high targets that match the standards of other innovation parks of well developed countries. To achieve this calls for extensive research and forging partnerships with well-established international parks to gain the essential experience. If well executed, we stand to become a great success story for the region.His Majesty is passionate Food productionabout agriculture Following the recent rains, the development of adequate water His Majesty King A look back to 2016 harvesting infrastructure to enhance food Mswati III is The year that was, had a plethora of security, should remain a top priority challenges as well as opportunities for government. We are encouraged by passionate about for the nation in a variety of sectors. the support pledged towards the short- agriculture and Notwithstanding all these challenges, we term prioritized investment plan for stood together as a nation and supported agriculture which has great potential always sees it as key one another. to add a significant number of jobs for to the growth and This was a clear testimony that the spirit our people. Government will continue of nationhood runs through the veins of promoting programmes for value addition development of the every citizen. The good rains ushering on agricultural products and enhancingKingdom of Swaziland us into 2017, therefore, serve as a well access to local and international markets. deserved blessing to emaswati for staying Water supply and the SADC Region united, upholding the peace and keeping The country has not been spared from the as whole. Here is the faith. God is surely answering our severe drought which hit the region in the prayers and wiping away our tears. As past 2 years, which increased the number an exceprt from His we set out to build a strong economic of people without access to clean water. Majesty’s Speech from foundation that will sustain us through all We remain steadfast in our goal to ensureThe Throne in February seasons, both good and bad, let us join that all emaswati have access to clean hands once again. water by the year 2022. In that regard we 2017, marking the Job creation look forward to commissioning the e200 official opening of the We are reaching out to every citizen to million water supply project which has Fourth Session of the come out in full force towards creating a been constructed in partnership with our strong economy that will help us realise friends. This project will bring clean water 10th Parliament. the aspirations of vision 2022. to an estimated population of 61,000 We are pleased that the Kingdom of people in the siphofaneni, somntongo and Eswatini, together with her regional matsanjeni tinkhundla which are located partners, has concluded the economic in the lubombo and shiselweni regions. partnership agreement (EPA) with the The project will help the beneficiary European Union (EU). We are hopeful communities out of poverty as they will that brexit shall have minimal effect on now be able to start self-help projects the programme. in addition to improving their livelihood, The private sector is urged to fully through access to adequate water and maximise the opportunities that the sanitation facilities. epa provides. Key to our trade and job In the coming years, the country is looking sustainability rests largely on our ability to into up-scaling such projects which will have a significant impact on the nation.10 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
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NEWS FEATUREAgribusiness Fair& Schools Festival The fair started with the Agribusiness School Festival with a focus on unlocking agribusiness opportunities for the youth. Form 4 and 5 students from several schools across the country attended a seminar aimed at inculcating financial literacy and work readiness. Junior Achievement facilitated the seminar. The second day focused on unlocking agribusiness opportunities through ICT. Farmers were sensitized about the on-going assembly of ICT oriented applications to improve their production and access markets. The University of This year’s Agribusiness Fair Swaziland Faculty of & School Festival was the Agriculture hosted an third instalment of an event Agribusiness Fair and pioneered by a group of fourth Schools Festival on 16- year students studying Agricultural18 March 2017. This was Economics and Management in 2015. The students had constituted the third instalment themselves into a company called of the annual event. Smiling Through Investments in SIBUSISO MNGADI fulfillment of their entrepreneurial project. reports. The theme of this year’s event was “unlocking business opportunities through information and communications technology.” Activities included the display and promotion of agricultural produce and seminars.12 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
NEWS FEATURE All departments within the Faculty of which they found to be a stumbling 1. St. Michaels students marvelAgriculture exhibited. They included the block to the aspirations of farmers. at rabbits on display.Agricultural and BioSystems Engineering, “We cannot move forward without the 2. SEDCO officials at theirAgricultural Economics and Management, policy,” said a Mr. Mabuza, one of the standAgricultural Education and Extension, smallholder farmers. It was noted that 3. Consumer science studentsAnimal Science, Consumer Sciences, there were about 8 drafts of the land displaying their food productsCrop Production and Horticulture. policy gathering dust at the Ministry of 4. Students seem to have a goodNotably, the university has developed Agriculture. time at NMC stand.most of these disciplines up to PhD 5. NAMBoard official manninglevel. The meeting also suggested that her stand the university should incubate some of 6. SNAU President, Abraham Other exhibitors were Swaziland its graduates to work in government Lukhele making remarks duringEnterprise Development Company farms that are currently lying idle in an one of the seminars.(SEDCO), NAMBoard, MacMillan, effort to ensure absorption of graduates 7. A horticulture fourth yearSwaziTrac, Swaziland Dairy Board, in the work place and increase local student displays a hydroponicsSwaziBank, Swaziland National production. The meeting expressed system called Nutrient FilmAgricultural Union (SNAU), National concern of agricultural imports which Technique. Plants are grownMaize Corporation (NMC) and Liberty. are constantly on the increase. “We are without any media such as tied of these big trucks coming through soil. During the seminar, SNAU called for our borders,” said one speaker. 8. SNAU official explains to athe formal recognition of the farmers’ group of students who visitedunion. “SNAU is not registered through the stand.an Act of Parliament,” said SNAUPresident, Absalom Lukhele. He said theunion is only registered as a not-for-profit organisation, making their viabilityand future “not fully secured.” Lukhele also urged the universityto forge partnership with small-holderfarmers “to ensure a vibrant productionof food.” The seminar also discussed theissue of the Land Policy in Swaziland, agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 13
NEWS | FEATURENo poultry Objectives of the Association: After disappearing for almostassociation • Be an organization of substance in two decades, the Swaziland Swaziland embracing any subsidiary Poultry Association (SPA) iswithout other players organization established to provide for the now being revived to harness various specialized sections of the poultry a united voice of the poultryTOP: SPA Interim Committee industry so these subsidiary organisations industry. In May 2017, themembers, Jeremy Boyde and Ross and their members can co-operate Association will elect its firstMackie. effectively for the development of the executive committee amidstRIGHT: Cranefeeds/Farm poultry industry. fundamental challenges.Services MD, Joggie van Styp • To coordinate the views, aims and SIBUSISO MNGADIand Agricultural Consultant and efforts of the members of the Association reports.Trainer, Diccon Robinson. in the interesrs of the poultry industry in Swaziland as a whole. turkey and processed meat. The value ofThe interim committee tasked • To advance all matters relating to the these imports exceeds E10 million. with the revival of the improvement and development of the Swaziland Poultry Association poultry industry and allied industries by The Swaziland Poultry Association is (SPA) has been directed to assisting any subsidiary organisation or said to have existed in the early 2000involve all players in the poultry allied industry. but never functioned properly. In 2015,industry, including egg producers and • Protect the poultry industry from adverse Minister of Agriculture, Moses Vilakati,indigenous poultry farmers. legislation or any other adverse factor launched the revival of the Association and to initiate, foster and/or assist in by appointing an interim committee This transpired at a progress meeting the promulgation of legislation and/or tasked with setting up anotherheld at Happy Valley Hotel in March regulations for the poultry industry and association. In the past two years, the2017. Poultry industry stakeholders allied industries. interim committee has developed afelt that it was not appropriate for the • Encourage education in the poultry constitution to guide the operations ofAssociation to comprise only broiler industry, conduct or assist in investigations the poultry group.producers. Interim Committee member, of a practical and scientific nature and theJeremy Boyde, had announced that organisation of seminars, courses and the In terms of the guidelines,the Association was being revived to like. committee members are expected toprimarily serve the interests of broiler • Publish literature, journals, pamphlets serve for two years. The committeeproducers, and that other sub-sectors and circulars dealing with all matters will comprise a chairperson, vicewere at liberty to set-up their own pertaining to the poultry and allied chairperson, a secretary, a treasurer,associations. industries and the dissemination of a member of the small grower sub- information on behalf of the industry. committee, a representative of Among those opposed to the broilers • Act as mediators in the settlement of allied industries and a governmentonly association were Joggie van Styp, any dispute between members of the representative.Managing Director at Cranefeeds/Farm Association in so far as such dispute may beServices and Roy Fanourakis, Managing referred to the Association and further in so Membership shall be a person,Director at Ngwane Poultry and a former far as the dispute relates to the poultry or company or organization that derivesMinister of Agriculture who is also a allied industries. the greater part of their income fromfarmer specializing in poultry, beef and • Facilitate and encourage local production broiler production, hatchery, abattoir,goat production. The meeting suggested of all areas essential for the successful feed and parastatal organisations.that egg producers should be invited operation of the poultry industry. Membership fees are E250 per year forto the elections of the association’s • Facilitate and encourage the formation of individual farmers, E5,000 for smallcommittee planned for 9 May 2017. regional management committees. allied industries and E10,000 for large • Secure profitable production to provide allied industries. Only paid up members The Swaziland commercial poultry adequate supplies of broiler products to will be allowed to vote and be voted onsector is valued at over E200 million and the public. the day of the elections on May 9.the country long closed the borders for • Assist in the improvement of production,the importation of broilers and eggs. testing, grading, packing, transportation,However, there is still a shortage in storage and marketing of poultry products by setting and revising standards. • Cooperate to the fullest extent with officers of Government on all matters pertaining to poultry production, research and the poultry industry in general. • Promote and safeguard the interests of all members of the Association. • Maintain and improve the health status of poultry flocks in Swaziland. • Assist the poultry industry and any allied industries throughout Swaziland. • Subscribe or affiliate to any other association, society or like body whether locally or internationally which has similar interests to the Association.14 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
FEATURE | AGRI-FOUNTAIN agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 15
Women leaders learn from each other as..SWADE rolls out lifechanging programmes In preparing for the The Swaziland Water & LUSLM assisted over 1220 farmers. rolling out of the Agricultural Development As a result of the project, some Enterprise (SWADE) is farmers are now using biogas in their Smallholder Market rolling out life-changing homes. A total of 734 water tanks Led Project / Climate programmes in 37 chiefdoms were constructed, among many Smart Agriculture for in rainfed areas of Lubombo, successful initiatives. Resilient Livelihoods Shiselweni and Manzini through the Smallholder Market Led In March 2017, SMLP/CSARL (SMLP/CSARL) in Project / Climate Smart Agriculture Project Manager, Lynn Kota hosted 37 communities in for Resilient Livelohoods (SMLP/ an information-sharing seminar three regions, SWADE CSARL). involving women leaders from the organised a seminar 10 LUSLM communities and the 37 for women leaders to The project, financed by the communities under the new project.learn from one another. International Fund for Agricultural The meeting, held at Mavuso Trade SIBUSISO MNGADI Development (IFAD), builds on the Centre in Manzini, brought together successes of the now completed female tindvuna tetinkhundla reports. Lower Usuthu Sustainable Land and bucopho from all of the Management (LUSLM) project which communities. The speakers included was implemented in 10 chiefdoms successful women farmers, including in Siphofaneni and Sithobela areas. those that had excelled in Woman Farmer of the Year competition. Apart from learning from each other, the women leaders were sensitized on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially on how they can prepare themselves and contribute to the achievement of gender equality by 2030. Presenting on gender equality, Jane Mkhonta from the Gender and Family Affairs Department in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, encouraged the women leaders to fight for their rights. She advised16 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
them to register in their own names Kota. “It is our hope that we cover NEWS FEATUREthe cow they receive as part of the whole country someday.”lobola (Insulamnyembeti). “The MAIN: Women communitywhole thing starts with building One of the key components of leaders and officials in traditionalcourage to claim what is rightfully the SMLP/CSARL is the building of dance.yours,” she said. Mkhonta also urged new dams and rehabilitating old BOTTOM: Jane Mkhonta fromthe women leaders to network more ones in the selected communities. DPM’s Officeand support each other, especially 3. TOP: Winners of the Womanin taking leadership positions such Contrary to LUSLM which Farmer of the Year competitionas the coming national elections in prioritized subsistence farming, LEFT: Prudence Mnisi from the2018. the new project will link farmers Micro Finance Uni (MFU) to markets. “We are collaborating MIDDLE: Programme Director, Prudence Mnisi from the Micro with NAMBoard and the Ministry of Winnie NcongwaneFinance Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture to provide extension RIGHT: Project Manager, LynnFinance revealed that government services to the farmers to guarantee Kota.was working on a financial inclusion quality of their produce,” said Kota.policy which is now in Parliament.While making reference to Proverbs Technoserve has also been31, she encouraged the women roped in the project to provideleaders to work hard for the entrepreneurship and businessbetterment of their households, management skills to the selectedcommunities and the country. farmers. “The focus will be on non- perishable crops,” said. Ncane Maziya of Gender Linksfocused on Goal 10 of the SDGs. The project will focus onShe said world leaders, including both subsistence and commercialHis Majesty King Mswati III, had farming.agreed to reduce inequality withinand among countries by 2030. Thiswill be achieved by, among otherthings, empowering and promotingthe social, economic and politicalinclusion of all, irrespective ofage, sex, disability, race, ethnicity,origin, religion and economic status. Kota explained that the SMLP/CSARL project came as a result ofthe successes of LUSIP-GEF. “Weare now upscaling the successfulinitiatives of LUSLM,” she said. Theproject is currently implementedin three regions but covers theShiselweni Region the most. Shesaid they have not included theHhohho Region for logistical reasons.“The chosen communities have beenselected based on proximity,” said agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 17
NEWS FEATURE18 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
PERSONALITY | FEATURE New SWADE chief making reality out of Vision 2022His Majesty King Mswati III has a seen it all. Speaking on his recent Samson Silwayiphi vision of seeing Swaziland a First appointment, Sithole extends sincere Sithole, the new man World nation by 2022. The vision’s thanks His Majesty’s Government - in at the helm of the once main objective is to improve the particular the Ministry of Agriculture troubled SWADE, is standard of living of all Swazis through under which SWADE is governed, as well an achiever of note. access to quality services, wealth as the Board of Directors for SWADE for He has been part of creation and employment opportunities. putting their trust in him with regards SWADE’s development to him performing the duties of Chief since inception and The Swaziland Water and Agricultural Executive Officer. “I am aware of the has been pushing the Development Enterprise (SWADE) is one scale and gravity of the task given to me, organization from behind. of the few organisations in the country which is to ensure that SWADE enhances He has now been given the whose mandate and everyday efforts momentum in contributing towards opportunity to steer the are directed, one hundred percent, sustainable development of targeted ship. SIBUSISO MNGADI towards attainment of this vision. Since communities, resulting in improved socio- spoke to him. 1999, SWADE has been empowering economic statuses and livelihoods”. communities to improve their quality of life through commercial agriculture He emphasises that only a viable and projects and other enterprises. From the self-sustaining SWADE will be able to North-Eastern parts down to Southern contribute to the national development parts, rural communities in Swaziland are goals. “Together with the board of changing into thriving economic power- directors and the management team at houses. SWADE, I am confident that my office will see to effective implementation of Over the years, SWADE has operational strategies” adds Sithole. successfully coordinated and implemented nine projects and funding He has been part of SWADE since partners seem always eager to continue inception in 1999 - when it was with their support. Despite a leadership established. His initial appointment battle which left the organization without was to serve as an Agricultural Officer a substantive Chief Executive Officer at SWADE’s first project - the Komati for a couple of years, SWADE has never Downstream Development Project slowed down in the implementation of (KDDP), which assisted smallholder her mandate. farmers downstream of the Maguga dam to develop their land into irrigated Samson Silwayiphi Sithole, the farms for commercial agriculture, mainly new SWADE CEO since June 2016, has agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 19
PERSONALITY | FEATUREABOVE: Minister of focusing in sugarcane production. He Chief Gasa WaNgwane, his educationalAgriculture Moses Vilakati, was recruited from Ubombo Sugar where and life journey can be described as aChairman of Agriculture he had been a Field Overseer for three miracle. In fact, his chances of attendingPortfolio Committee in years. Within a year, he was soon to school in the first place were almostParliament, Titus Thwala, be appointed Technical Coordinator, next to zero. He is the fifth born in aSiphofaneni Member of providing technical advice to the KDDP family of ten children. Most of his siblingsParliament, Gundwane Project Director and Teams. After two never completed school because ofGamedze, SWADE CEO, years, he was appointed Technical poverty in the family and the communitySamson Sithole and SWADE Manager at the Lower Usuthu Smallholder in general. “Despite the money issue,Board Chairman, Mkhululi Irrigation Project (LUSIP I) and also school was very far; maybe more thanDlamini, during a field visit of served in Monitoring and Evaluation 10 kilometers,” he says. “One needed toLUSIP I sites which included coordination and be a bit older and stronger to be able to overall management of the project. His attend school because you had to walk a“These initiatives greatest achievement was in his role as long distance.”are proof that SWADE Resettlement Manager for LUSIP I whereis up-scaling her he saved the organization from spending Luckily, Sithole was adopted by hisdevelopment models to E6 Million per month on penalties which great aunt and moved to her place atbenefit more regions was to be charged by the bulk water Dwalile area in the Manzini Region, atand communities in the infrastructure contractor as a result the age of four. He started school at thecountry.” of stand time emanating from delayed normal age of six at Dwalile primary, resettlement of homesteads within went on to Dwalile secondary before the infrastructure foot prints. “The completing at Mbabane Central High resettlement process remains an icon and School. best practice internationally till today,” he says. “Although the process was His success has been a blessing to continually complex, we managed to do his struggling family and he has assisted it with half of the budget.” some of his younger siblings to get an education as well. Perhaps, the greatest Sithole continued to move through blessing is yet to come as he is leading the ranks, becoming Technical Manager, national plans to harness the Mkhondvo Agricultural Development Manager and and Ngwavuma rivers to bring water to then LUSIP Project Manager in 2011 which Lavumisa, for the first time to some of he held until his CEO appointment. these drought stricken communities. This development will also benefit his home Sithole graduated from the University area. of Swaziland with a B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics and Management in 1995. Feasibility studies are already Before he assumed the CEO position, underway to provide irrigation water he had already completed an MBA with to more areas further down south, up the Management College of Southern to Lavumisa. It is envisaged that about Africa (MANCOSA) . Born in Tibane area, 20,000 ha will be irrigated for the a remote community in Lavumisa under production of various cash crops other than sugarcane. The main crop will20 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
be maize which will be produced for the production of maize and beans,” says PERSONALITY | FEATUREdomestic and export purposes. Some of Sithole. He adds that livestock productionthe maize will be used for the production will also take centre stage, especially locally produced diversified food on theof animal feed to contribute to livestock pork and beef production. market. This project is implementedproduction, mainly beef production. Six feedlots have already been in partnership with the National“The Mkhondvo-Ngwavuma feasibility developed around Siphofaneni and Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard)studies form a key part of Government’s Komati area. An abattoir facility is in the which is expected to facilitate trade,response to the drought problem and to pipeline. “We are now looking into water transport and storage, drawing onthe bulk water investment programme,” efficient and energy savings systems complementarities of both institutionssays Sithole. “These initiatives are proof by prioritizing enterprises that bring in order to create functional agriculturethat SWADE is up-scaling her development high yields while using less water,” he markets and a competitive andmodels to benefit more regions and says. “We want to put water where it innovative private sector that is criticalcommunities in the country.” matters most.” This will be done through for agriculture growth. It is funded by the separating soils into first and European Union. LUSIP I has constructed three dams, secondthe Mhlatuzane, Golome and a Saddle SWADE has also adopted thedams to form an off-river storage class, irrigation Smallholder Market-led Project / Climatereservoir impounding 155 million systems and choosing crops that are not Smart Agriculture for Resilient Livelihoodscubic metres of water harvested high in water consumption. All this augurs (SMLP/CSARL). The project was craftedfrom wet season flood flows well with cotton farmers who have been based on the lessons learnt from thein the Usuthu River, to plying their trade under harsh conditionsirrigate a net area of 11 down in Lavumisa. As a result, the Lower Usuthu Sustainable Land500 ha. The project has new project is expected to give cotton Management (LUSLM) Project andbenefitted over 4 000 farmers maximum returns from their intends to upscale successfulhouseholds, 34 000 enterprises. The good part is that apart initiatives to other parts ofpeople, through from irrigation water, all communities the country with similartransforming down South will have potable water. circumstances to thesubsistence Sithole also plans to ensure that LUSLM Project area.farmers into all projects contribute towards energy The project is fundedcommercial production. “We are looking into the by the Internationalfarmers of installation of an over canal solar systems Fund for Agriculturalirrigated lands and hydro systems,” he reveals. Development (IFAD)producing The sustainability of SWADE’s work and the Globalcash and food has also been guaranteed through Environmentalcrops. LUSIP the adoption of new projects that Facility (GEF)II Extension are building on the successes and intends tocontinues from infrastructure of KDDP and LUSIP. One build in theLUSIP I. “At the of these projects is the High Value commercializationcompletion of Crop and Horticulture Project (HVCHP) of smallholderLUSIP II, we will which seeks to increase the contribution production.have maximized of the agricultural sector to poverty SWADE isthe usage of the reduction in Swaziland by creating also supportinginfrastructure pro-poor growth, securing livelihoods of the Innovativefor both phases of Beef Value Chainthe project,” says DevelopmentSithole. “This means Schemes in Southernan additional 14 000 Africa Project whichpeople would be lifted started in 2013 inout of poverty. We will have Swaziland which ismaximized the usage of Swazi supported by IFAD. TheNation Land (SNL) and economically overall goal is to improveempowered communities to contribute and sustain the livelihoods ofmeaningfully to the country’sdevelopment.” smallholder beef cattle farmers in the LUSIP and KDDP areas through The projects have also achieved social improved and sustainable production andtransformation through food security, marketing systems.improvement of infrastructure such asschools, clinics and roads. “A total of 13 The success of SWADE over the pastschemes have been weaned already and 18 years is quite remarkable and there25 schemes will be weaned this year in is no doubt that leading towards 2022,preparation of project closure next year,” there are more amazing achievementsSithole reveals. yet to be seen, especially with a passionate leader like Sithole. His vision While the LUSIP projects are winding is simply to facilitate development forup, it is not going to be the end of the the whole country through commercialroad after all. “We are going to leave agricultural enterprises. He is alreadybehind a small team that will continue to contributing to a bright future bymonitor and support the farmer schemes developing a new crop of professionalsto progress successfully,” he says. The through an in-house professionalCEO further mentioned that SWADE is in development programme.the process of setting up a commercialdepartment that will provide services to The programme provides employmentfarmers at minimal cost. opportunities, attachments and internships for graduates from the There is no doubt that the future of University of Swaziland, Faculty OfSWADE will have greater impact to the Agriculture. “We have produced aeconomic development of the country number of irrigation engineers in-housethrough continuous eradication of and IFAD has been very keen to assistpoverty and transformation of lives in us in our capacity building efforts,”rural communities beyond sugarcane says Sithole. “Today the entire projectproduction. The Mpakeni Project which has been localized, of course with thewill bring water to people down South exception of consultant firms that areis a case in point. “We are focusing on normally engaged to carry out specificother agricultural enterprises, mainly tasks.” small holder farmers by providing them marketing opportunities and providing agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 21
SPECIAL REPORT | International Conference on Livestock Value Chain Finance and Access to CreditSwaziland hosts international financing and investment for livestock” Apart from the presentations, thelivestock conference conference organized round-tables forThe Kingdom of Swaziland, The International Conference on banks and financial institutions as well small as it is, continues Livestock Value Chain Finance as a table for implementing agencies and to be the ideal place for and Access to Credit, held at the donors. international gatherings Royal Swazi Convention Centre, Ezulwini, delivered over 30 academic The contributed papers were grouped and a good venue for best papers and contributions from various into six sessions. practice in a variety of countries. areas. In February, the The first session for contributed Delegates came from as far as papers was chaired by Abdrahmanecountry welcomed over 100 the United Kingdom, New Zealannhd, Wane and focused on “Smallholdersdelegates from 30 countries Australia, Nigeria, Senegal, Indonesia and Access to Credit”. The papers in this Italy, to name but a few. session included “Factors affecting across the globe who had household decision to allocate credit congregated to deliberate Minister of Agriculture, Moses Vilakati for livestock production: Evidence fromideas for improving markets officially opened the three-day (21-23 Ethiopia”. It was written by Shiferaw K., for livestock farmers and February), conference on 22 February. Geberemedhin B., and Legesse D.access to funding. LUNGA The Swaziland Water and Agricultural Mamba T.X., Machethe C.L., Mtimet MASUKU reports. Development Enterprise (SWADE), N. contributed a paper on “The role of University of Swaziland and Micro Finance contracts in improving access to credit Unit organized the conference with in the smallholder livestock sector of support from the International Livestock Swaziland” Research Institute (ILRI). Mahendri, Waldron S., Wegene During the presentations, plenary M., Cramb R.A. contributed, “Factors sessions and group discussions, delegates influencing farmers uptake of credit for learned from one another on how they cattle fattening in two districts in East have successfully tackled the issue of Java, Indonesia”. access to finance for livestock. Ajibade T.B., Ajibade E.T., Oloyede The first presenter, Karl Rich, W.O. wrote on “Microcredit financing focused on “Perspectives on improving in rural economy or formal banking financial access for livestock value institutions - which has better positioned chain development.” Kennedy Dzama the smallholder livestock farmers for presented on “Smallholder livestock credit access in South West Nigeria?” production and market participation in Southern Africa: Lessons learnt.” Calvin Wane A. and Mballo M.A.D. contributed Miller talked about “Inclusive value chain a paper on the “Risk assessment and management to enable access to credit for livestock actors”. The second session, chaired by Isaac Busayo Oluwatayo, was on the “Influence of microfinance participation on dairy commercialization: Case of small scale dairy farmers in Kenya.” The paper was contributed by Korir H.C., Cheruiyot k., and Apind B.O. Owusu C., Mensah-Bonsu A., Amegashie D.P. K. and Kuwornu J.K.M. contributed a paper on the “Analysis of beef cattle value chain in the Forest- Savannah Transitional Zone of Ghana”. Chipasha H. and Ariyawardana A. wrote about “Smallholder goat farmers’ market participation in Choma District, Zambia”. Gebremedhin B., Shiferaw K., Gizaw S., Tegene A. and Hoekstra D. presented a paper on “A Triple-hurdle model of small ruminant production and marketing in the highlands of Ethiopia: Implications for commercial transformation”. Oluwatayo I.B. wrote a paper on “Inclusive value chain and marketing among smallholder goat farmers in rural Limpopo Province, South Africa”. The third session, chaired by David Myeni, focused on “Governmental Schemes and Private Funding Models”. Papers in this session included “An innovative approach to cattle fattening/ finishing in Swaziland: A financial perspective” by Naicker E.22 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
International Conference on Livestock Value Chain Finance and Access to Credit | SPECIAL REPORT Another one was “Rural financial Mkhombe R. LEFT: A section of conference delegates.services and its effects on livestock Other papers were, “Measuring TOP: Delegates on a guided tour of oneproduction in Ethiopia” by Fitawek W.B. of the feedlotsand Kalaba M. impact of access to livestock services on MIDDLE: Minister of Agriculture, technical efficiency of small-ruminant Moses Vilakati who officially opened the Mudyazvivi E. and Mutamba M. production in rural Ethiopia”, contributed conference.contributed a paper titled, “Can value by Kassie G.T., Rischkowsky B., Haile A.,chain financing work for livestock in Yitayih M., Legesse G.and Fantaye Y. Blignaut C.B., and Kalaba M.smallholder systems – insights from the Kalundu K.S. and Meyer F. contributedZimbabwe Agricultural Development Oke M.A. looked at “The variousTrust”. problems associated into financing a paper titled, “Disaggregated supply livestock production in the northern response of cattle and beef in Namibia: Myeni D., Nhleko P.N. contributed a Nigeria”. An autoregressive distributed lagpaper titled, “Bridging the financing gap approach”.for smallholder agriculture in Swaziland”. Bahta S., Temoso O.and Gatsoswe K. contributed a paper on “Market channel There was another paper titled, Chaired by Oluwafunmiso Adeola choice decision in Botswana cattle “Impact assessment of the NationalOlajide, Session Four focused on markets”. Red Meat Development Programme“Economic Valuation of Value Chains”. (NRMDP) on formal market participationPapers included, “Value chain analysis Another paper focused on “Social of communal livestock farmers in Southof goats in Zambia: Challenges and networks and fodder innovations to Africa: The case of the Eastern Capeopportunities of linking smallholders enhance animal performance in communal Province”. It was contributed by Sotshato markets”, contributed by Namonje- areas dairy value chain systems”. It was K., Fakudze B., Ngqangweni S., NyhodoKapembwa T., Chiwawa H. and Sitko N. contributed by Nherera-Chokuda F.V., B., Ngetu X., Mazibuko N., Lubinga M.H., Muya M.C., Mantji M., Maphahla V.V., Khoza T., Ntshangase T., and Mmbengwa Fumani Ndlovu presented a paper Makgobatlou G.M. and Mbi N.M. V.on “Value chain analysis of beef inSwaziland”. Session Six was chaired by Grace Khan K., Khan G., Ramazan S., Faiz Oluwabukunmi Akinsola and focused on, J., Abdul Kamal M. and Ali G contributed There was also a paper titled, “Agricultural Credit Impact Assessment a paper on, “Impact of agricultural credit“Growing a PPP- the case study of the and Regional Trade”. The first paper on livestock income: A case study ofNgwane Mills – SWADE Joint Venture”, was on, “Impact of environmental risk District Lasbela, Balochistan”.which was contributed by van Niekerk on livestock commodity trade in SACU”.W., Gama R., Dlamini M., Rendall D., It was contributed by Mlipha S.S.B., The last paper was titled, “EffectThwala M., Dlamini F., Maseko S., Ntuli F., of the agricultural credit guaranteedMkhombe R., Mangwe M. and Kunene T. scheme fund (ACGSF) on loan accessibility on livestock sub-sectorial productivity in Mlote S.N. presented a paper on Nigeria (1978-2014)”. Contributors were“Smallholders and livestock value chain Ayinde O.E, Akinsola G.O., Onilude K.O.actors access to credit in Tanzania”. and Ajibade T.B. Amole O., Adeoye I.B. and OlajideO.A. contributed a paper on, “Economicvaluation of cattle value chain in OyoState”. Florence Nherera-Chokuda chairedSession Five, which focused on, “LivestockProduction, Efficiency and Marketing”. The first paper was on, “Beef cattlefattening using fodder based ration”. Itwas contributed by Dube S., Thwala M., Lukhele A.,Sihlongonyane M., Sihlongonyane N. and agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 23
SPECIAL REPORT | International Conference on Livestock Value Chain Finance and Access to CreditNedbank adding value to the country. “We have been one of the major sponsors of the annual Woman Farmerrural communities Competition since its inception and that shows that we believe in women empowerment,”Nedbank has been the only Project (KDDP) area through improved stated the MD. financial institution in the and sustainable production and marketing country supporting the systems. It is funded by the International She revealed that Nedbank does not give Innovative Beef Value Chain Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) cash and then go away or wait for the projectDevelopment Schemes in Southern Africa and implemented by SWADE, together with to fail. She said they share risks with theirProject (IBVCDSSAP) when it started in the International Livestock Research Institute customers who get loans from the bank. TheySwaziland in 2013. (ILRI) and the Ministry of Agriculture. also assist farmers with cash flow management skills so that they understand how to run to Nedbank decided to get involved despite Nkosi challenged other financial their businesses. “Our aim as Nedbank is to seenumerous failures of feedlot projects in the institutions to “catch us if you can”. She noted the projects working and spreading to otheryear 2000. High cost of animal feed was that they have already set the tone for other parts of the country,” she said.considered a major factor in the failure of banks to learn from them. She stated thatmany of the feedlots. Nedbank was proud to be associated with a SWADE Chief Executive Officer Samson project that empowers women economically Sithole told the meeting that when they Nedbank Swaziland Chief Executive to play a developmental role in society. She started the feedlot project it was very difficultOfficer, Fikile Nkosi, told delegates of the challenged members of the farmer groups but they believed in the potential of SwaziInternational Conference on Livestock Value to work together so that their projects could farmers. They approached International FundChain Finance and Access to Credit, held at reach greater heights. for Agricultural Development (IFAD) whothe Royal Swazi Convention Centre, Ezulwini, advised that farmers should grow their ownin February, that her bank never doubted the “Maybe it is about time that world animal feed for the project to be sustainable.success of the project when it was presented to economy was driven by women because theirthem by the Swaziland Water and Agricultural achievements have allayed fears that women Sithole said they were proud to beDevelopment Enterprise (SWADE). projects or livestock production was a man associated with Nedbank and thanked the thing,” she told the over 300 delegates. “As bank for believing in the farmers. The overall goal of the project is to improve a bank we would like to thank SWADE forand sustain the livelihoods of smallholder beef trusting us that we can finance such a project.” Micro Finance Unit (MFU) Executivecattle farmers in the Lower Usuthu Smallholder Director David Myeni stressed on importanceIrrigation Project (LUSIP) area as well as She further mentioned that Nedbank has of financial prudence so that banks canin the Komati Downstream Development been a partner to other women initiatives in continue to support local businesses. Myeni said his organization was currently in talks with the Central Bank of Swaziland to ensure that emerging businesses have access to credit from financial institutions. He advised entrepreneurs to do proper record keeping so that financiers can be able to see that their businesses were breaking even or they were facing difficulties. He was responding to concerns that banks are hard to give out loans to small-scale farmers. During a field day, the delegates were taken to a feedlot in Tshaneni area in the Lubombo Region. Singeni Feedlot had received funding from the bank and bought a cow for E6, 000 which they later sold for E10, 000 after three weeks. It had gained 30kg in the three weeks. A women-led feedlot started in 2016 at Sithobela area in the Lubombo Region has also proved successful through the assistance of Nedbank. Initially, they were into sugar cane farming but after seeing that sugar was only harvested once a year yet they were having daily needs they then decided to start Sekuyakhona Ngoni Feedlot, a subsidiary of their sugarcane producing company. Of the 55 members of this company, close to 20 are women who are leading the organisation. To ensure that the farmers were doing the right thing, the bank visits the projects every second week to access business growth and avert challenges that may lead to collapse. BY LUNGA MASUKU24 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
International Conference on Livestock Value Chain Finance and Access to Credit | SPECIAL REPORTBeef productionSUCCESSAbeef production project Region, the farmers feed their livestock He observed that Swaziland was still implemented by the International chicken litter combined with molasses. spending close to E100 million a year Livestock Research Institute Each farmer brings a bag of grass every to import beef products from other (ILRI) in collaboration with day to be able to give to the 24 cows in countries, mainly the Republic of Souththe Swaziland Water and Agricultural the feedlot. Two children from members Africa. E50 million is spent on porkDevelopment Enterprise (SWADE) and of the project are employed by the imports.the Ministry of Agriculture has been company to provide security. One guardshailed for its remarkable success in the cows at night while the other looks “This should change so that theSwaziland. after them during the day. country can be self-sufficient,” said the Minister. “My ministry believes that the While the Innovative Beef Value Chain The Singeni feedlot employs four products will be suitable and enable smallDevelopment Schemes in Southern Africa people. holder value addition in livestock industryProject is implemented by other countries in the country and the region.”in the region, the Swaziland success story Minister of Agriculture Moses Vilakati,was found to have exceeded expectations who officially opened the international He expressed disappointment thatand a model to be copied by others. conference, urged more Swazi farmers some 300 feedlots collapsed in 2004 as to play a role in harnessing existing result of inadequate support. Notably, the feedlots in Swaziland agricultural resources to improve theirwere found to be keeping livestock in lives. The minister said he was impressed byfeedlots for three months while other the low cost feed regimes that have beencountries kept them for over seven He noted that the conference has brought to the fore so that local farmersmonths. This means that the Swaziland come at the right time when new avenues may start using these to improve theirfarmers are able to sell their cattle at need to be explored to reduce cost of livestock produce. Crop residues haveleast three intervals in a year. animal feed, especially for livestock also been identified as another formula producers involved in feedlots. that farmers can utilise in order to ensure This transpired during the International that their livestock were well fed andConference on Livestock Value Chain “This should facilitate and establish managed.Finance and Access to Credit, held at the an effective financial instrument that canRoyal Swazi Convention Centre, Ezulwini assist local farmers to maximize their During the conference, it was notedin February. Delegates of the conference products whilst adding value to cattle that in Tanzania played a greater role inwere taken on a guided to feedlots systems,” he told the over 300 delegates. beef production. Tanzania has over 28operated under the project. At Singeni “We are confident that this collaboration million cows. While livestock farmers werearea in the Hhohho Region, the delegates will contribute significantly towards the concentrated in the North, they mostlyobserved in awe as the feedlot sold nine reduction of the supply gap that Swazi travel to the capital city, Dar Salem wherecows for E100,000 to a butchery owner beef exports faces to international they sell about 10 000 daily. Some farmersbased in Manzini. markets. It is only through such strategic even fly and use trucks to ferry their partnerships that the country can attain livestock. The International Fund for Agricultural first world status.”Development (IFAD) had set aside 1 million BY LUNGA MASUKUUS Dollars to fund this project since 2013.The overall goal is to improve and sustainthe livelihoods of smallholder beef cattlefarmers in the Lower Usuthu SmallholderIrrigation Project (LUSIP) area as well asin the Komati Downstream DevelopmentProject (KDDP) area through improvedand sustainable production and marketingsystems. In Tshaneni area, farmers were foundto have grown tracks of land to growyellow maize, lucerne, molasses andanimal fodder in order to reduce cost ofanimal feed. In Sithobela area in the Lubombo agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 25
FEATURE : HIGH VALUE CROP AND HORTICULTURE PROJECT (HVCHP)New project to reduce vegetable imports The production of vegetables is set to dramatically increase with the implementation of the Hih Value Crop and Horticulture Project (HVCHP) across all parts of the country. The project is funded by theEuropean Union Regional Development Fund. SIBUSISO MNGADI reports. Atotal 1560ha has been The project seeks to increase the targeted for the production of contribution of the agricultural sector both conventional and baby to poverty reduction by creating pro- vegetables in different areas poor growth, securing livelihoods of across the country as part of the High small holder farmers by providing them Value Crop and Horticulture Project marketing opportunities and providing (HVCHP) funded by the European locally produced diversified food on the Union Regional Development Fund. market. In the process, four packhouses The project will build on the will be constructed in Nhlangano, capacities of the Swaziland Water & Lavumisa, Siphofaneni and Msahweni Agricultural Development Enterprise areas, bringing the market closer to (SWADE) and the National Agricultural smallholder farmers in these pack- Marketing Board (NAMBOARD) to create house zones.Two additional refrigerated functional agriculture markets and a trucks will be bought in anticipation of competitive and innovative private increased production. Three cold stores sector that is critical for agriculture will also be established in the country’s growth. big markets in Mbabane, Mahlanya and Manzini. The project will contribute significantly in the reduction of imports26 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
FEATURE : HIGH VALUE CROP AND HORTICULTURE PROJECT (HVCHP) To justify the investment into storing and packing facilities, it also requires a careful planning of production and extension according to market requirements. To that aim the pack house hubs will provide to farmers a variety of services including technical, financial, marketing and business support. Gender aspects will be factored in during the whole implementation of the project notably access to land and water for women. Local financial institutions are willing to support Farmer Companies on providing finance for operational cost but reluctant to invest on infrastructure development for horticulture development. Infrastructure will be developed through grant funding. The project has already identified national, regional and international markets, which are now being supplied with high quality produce. An agricultural managementfor vegetables. While research will be development by the whole Chiefdom information system has been developedemployed to determine suitable crops community. The CDP, among other to market farmer produce and tofor each selected area, the project development plans, outline the land monitor market performance.will focus on the production of high designated for farming business. House-value crops currently imported in holds that own land in the designated In LUSIP 1 area, land has beenlarge quantities. These include onions, area write renunciation letters to give developed and farmer companiespotatoes, yellow maize, white maize up their user right of the land in return strengthened to profitably produce aand lurcene. Baby vegetables will be for a share in the FC. range of high value commodities. Aproduced mainly for the export market total 856 hectare will be developedin Southern Africa and Europe. The Chief then writes a letter of and farmers will be trained on business consent, re-allocating the land to the management. The Ministry of Agriculture is FC. The Chief’s letter has become theproviding project oversight from its title for SNL that is acceptable to allheadquarters in Mbabane and extension stakeholders. As a result of the CLC, theservices in the regions. FC is able to register as a legal entity, secure funding banks, secure a market SWADE is leading the mobilization quota where required and a water rightof target communities to form for irrigation.chiefdom development plans (CDPs) The FC is made of share-holders,and establishment of formal farming management and labour all drawncompanies (FCs) with the experience from the previous filed owners. The FCgained from impementing the Lower is funded based on a business plan atUsuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project approximately 70% grant which covers(LUSIP). the farm establishment cost and 30% loan from local commercial banks for The project will also enable the operational cost.completion of LUSIP Phase 1 so thatfinanciers (including the EuropeanInvestment Bank (EIB) and the AfricanDevelopment Bank (ADB)) can commit tothe already designed extensions (LUSIP IIand LUSIP II extension). The large surface farmed will provideadequate volume of non-sugar crops. The project will adapt SWADE’smodels of Community DevelopmentPlans (CDC) and Farmer Companies(FC). Chiefs and communities will besensitised to the necessary consolidationof land and structuration of farmers inthe interest of economies of scale andimproved management of scarce water. It is premised on the experienceof working with Farmer Companiesoperating on Swazi Nation Land (SNL).The SNL does not have a formal title andtherefore cannot be used as collateralto secure a loan from the banks. Peopleresiding on SNL only have land userrights. To give a title to SNL FCs, SWADEinitiated the Chiefdom DevelopmentPlan (CDP), Renunciation Letters (RL)and Chiefs Letter of Consent (CLC). The CDP constitutes a formallyapproved plan for the Chiefdom agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 27
NEWS FEATURE | TOURISM Matsamo Lake to change fortunesfor northern Hhohho in modern world. Game meat will also An initiative meant at Seeing tens of luxurious coaches be enjoyed immediately the centreseeing Matsamo area in ferrying tourists to other parts manages to have own game reserve. of the country, made the people Monkeys, fish and other animals are in the northern Hhohho of Matsamo come up with an their immediate plan. being developed into initiative meant at seeing their area getting a slice of the cake from Once the tourism centre is up and a preferred tourist tourists. running, canoes will be introduced sodestination, a proposed that water rafting games in order to Lake Matsamo Project Committee assist centre get every cent from tourists lake, fish pond and a (LMPC) registered Lake Matsamo interested in visiting their area. They game farm will surely Community Trust came in 2015. This will charge something at the entrance soboost domestic tourism. has seen over 500 households from that they can be able to pay traditional neighbouring chiefdoms uniting in spirit dance troupes to be stationed at the LUNGA MASUKU and aim to create domestic tourism to centre. These plans cannot be realised if reports. ensure that their area develops in all they do not get enough support from the spheres. Communities to benefit from private donors to help the communities the project include Mashobeni north, realise their dream. They will also need Timphisini, Madelezini and Nhlambeni. to have trained people to roe canoes. These areas are next to Driekoppies Dam that was built on the South African Hippopotamus have already started side. Proposed project is expected to leaving a trail of havoc to fields of have about 21 traditional chalets to neighbouring farmers because they be divided into two categories namely easily bring down the fence of the 400 lower class and higher class expected by 100 metres facility. Originally, these to have family chalets. There will also hippos they cross into the country be a conference hall expected to be once in a while. A recent visit by Her big enough such that major national Majesty the Queen Mother to the centre meetings can be held at the centre. has given them a desire of seeing to it that their facility becomes a reality. Banele Ndwandwe, treasurer of Ndwandwe wakes up every morning to LMPC was found busy in their office go and run the office so that community located just a few kilometres away members or even people interested from Matsamo Border Post. A Swazi knowing about the project can get a home depicting old bee-huts known as focal person. For the trouble KOBWA is boguca will form part of the Swazi home currently paying them a reasonable sum together with a traditional lounge where so that they can run the project to the young boys or young girls can get an best of their expectations. opportunity of seating down and study how Swazis lived in olden days. Major concern is the slow pace the project has been moving such that the A butchery and bar that is expected budgeted E1, 5 million might fall too to sell traditional brew like marula short. Ndwandwe appealed to other during its season, orange brew and organisations willing to assist them other wild fruits that can be brewed with furniture to kindly do that because to make sure their guests get a feel the support from Government will be of Swazi lifestyle. Further away from directed towards the construction of the the bee huts there will be an outdoor facility. This is meant for the project to eating area where there will be a braai become part of the community they will place popularly known as shisa nyama have a social responsibility initiatives meant at helping destitute people from their community. Residents invested E50 per homestead. This amount was used as a seed capital before they approached the government. This may be reviewed should there be a need because of the ever increasing construction costs. “After consulting widely on how best we can run a successful community project we have visited local tourism centres so that we can model our facility around those facilities or even be better than them,” disclosed Ndwandwe. Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development has committed over E1, 5 million through the Regional Development Fund (RDF) together with Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism offered technical expertise towards the success of the project.28 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
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NEWS FEATUREQudeni Hatchery...taking indigenous poultry breeding centres, built at Nkiliji area inproduction to another level the Manzini Region and KaMfishane area in the Shiselweni Region, were expected 1 to produce chicks of indigenous chicken breeds for farmers interested in rearingQudeni Hatchery in In 2009, the Ministry of Agriculture for various markets. Needless to say urged local farmers to venture both these breeding centres have failed into commercial production of to have significant impact, at least indigenous free range chickens. not to the level at which they were While some farmers heeded the expected to operate.Malangeni area near Ministry’s call, many have beenMankayane could have discouraged by the lack of a formal Despite the failure of these market, scarcity of breeding stock and government initiatives, some private chicks. individuals did enter the fray togrown out of social Furthermore, some farmers are commercialise breeding of indigenous chickens. One of the pioneers in thismedia by posting frustrated that indigenous chickens difficult area is none other than Qudeni take longer to mature (about 6 months) Hatchery - famous in social mediaphotos of beautiful compared to broilers (6 weeks). circles with photo postings of their In an effort to develop this new exotic chicken breeds.exotic chicken breeds. commercial industry, governmentIt is the first business established two breeding centres with Perched at the lush valleys of the assistance of the Taiwan Technical Malangeni area, along the Ngwempisanato tap into the export Mission and the European Union. The river, near Mankayane in the Manzini Region, Qudeni Hatchery is redefining our understanding of the village chicken as we know it and is taking it to another level in the process. The business was started in 2014 by Jabulani Motsa, a son of the soil who graduated with a BComm Degree from the University of Swaziland. His interest in poultry developed when he was exposed to big commercial farms of free range chickens in the Republic of South Africa, where he also has business interests. He started the project by investing in commercial incubators and brooders which he used to grow his first breeding stock. The first batch of chickens came from fertile eggs he bought from South African farms. The breeds included Potchefstroom Koekoeks, Rhode Island Reds and Boschvelders. Within a year, Qudeni hatchery had set up pure breeding stock in different homesteads around the area. “Our model was around producing pure breeds as we realised that a lot of Swazis had mixed breeds,”market selling fertileeggs of chickens bred inSwaziland. SIBUSISOMNGADI reports. 2 330 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
4says Jabulani. “It is important to raise 1. Mature Potch koekoek roosters world of internet connection, your brandpure breeds to take advantage of the ready for the market can be known globally, so you must lookknown characteristics of each breed.” 2. Surehatch incubator fully loaded at your market as anywhere.”Some chicken breeds are good for meat, with fertile eggswhile some are good for egg laying 3. A tray of Quail eggs for sale. At this level, Qudeni Hatchery is theand others are good for both. Qudeni 4. Breeding Quails in their cage. only indigenous poultry farming businessHatchery decided to separate the breeds 5. Breeding stock of koekoeks and that is already successfully exporting toto make sure they maintained purity of Rhode Island Reds foreign markets. “Our plan to developtheir breeding stock. 6. Quails feeding the market for our products within 7. Rhode Istand Red point of lay Swaziland and then sell the surplus This strategy seems to have paid ready for the market outside,” says Jabulani. “We also wantoff as Qudeni is now able to export to introduce more chicken breeds,fertile eggs to neighbouring countries Qudeni plans to set up own animal including layers for the local market.”such as South Africa, Mozambique and feed processing plant in Mankayane toZimbabwe from their breeding stock formulate own feed according to their As part of its social responsibilitybased in Malangeni area. In South Africa, needs. “We are also investing in a worm programme, Qudeni Hatchery hasQudeni Hatchery managed to set up one farm to produce protein using larvae,” supplied chicks to women groups inof the country’s largest pure breeder in says Jabulani. Matsanjeni in the Shiselweni Region.Krugersdorp. They have 7000 hens. “The women have done well in raising Mozambique is the main export potch koekoeks to maturity,” says In Swaziland, many local farmers market for Quail eggs while some are Jabulani.flock for both fertile eggs and chicks also sold in South Africa and Swaziland,while others purchase breeding stock of mainly in upmarket restaurants and For more information, contact:their own. hotels. “We have managed to get Thokozane Motsa, Hatchery Manager: customers from neighbouring countries 7804 6355 or About two years ago, the Hatchery through social media, especially Sibusiso Mdluli, Breeder Farmsintroduced Quail breeding into its Facebook,” says Jabulani. “In today’s Manager: 78157986product line. “We are however strugglingto breed Goliath Quails becausehigh protein feed is not available inSwaziland,” says Jabulani. As such,5 67 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 31
NEWS FEATUREArmy worm outbreak a blowto good maize harvestFresh from the effects of two However, the full extent of the damage in liquid insecticide following manufacturer consequetive years of El Nino the country and other affected countries, directions. Granular insecticides induced drought, Swaziland, is yet to be established. are generally less effective against together with neighbouring armyworms than the liquid ones.countries in Southern Africa, is now The pest which primarily spreadsreeling with the dangers of the Fall through wind dispersal and host plant 3. Leave the sprayed crop alone for atArmyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. products, is reported to be still active. least 3 days without watering to give the The affected countries are also in insecticide time to work. The devastating worm was first different stages of assessing the damagediscovered in February 2017 and has to the crops because the outbreaks did 4. Monitor your fields in spring forspread almost throughout all parts of the not occur simultaneously. signs of armyworm damage. Look forcountry. holes in the leaves or pieces missing off Fall armyworm is a relatively of leaf edges where the armyworms have Spodoptera frugiperda was first new pest from the Americas, whose eaten them.detected in Big Bend and Siphofaneni in presence on the African continent waseastern Swaziland. Subsequent detection first reported in Sao Tome and Principehave been recorded in Lomahasha, around January 2016.Nkambeni and Mkhuzweni in thenorth eastern part of the Swaziland. The pest is known to cause extensiveIt has also been detected in Ntfonjeni- crop losses of up to 73 percent dependingMvembili - Matsamo areas in northern on existing conditions and is difficult toHhohho. Isolated and once-off cases control with a single type of pesticide,have been recorded in central and especially when it has reached anwestern Swaziland in young maize fields, advanced larval development stage.especially among farmers planting greenmealies. How to control army worms: 1. Look for early signs of armyworm Army worms are pests mostly damage. Because they feed at night, youaffecting grass and grain crops may not see the caterpillars right away.(sugarcane, maize, sorghum) and are The earlier you treat the problem, theprevalent mostly during the rainy season. easier it is to control and less damageIt is reported that outbreaks can occur your maize crop will sustain.after prolonged drought periods. An increase of the number of birds in your fields may be an indication of The devastating effects of the army armyworms. Birds eat the caterpillars,worms could dampen prospects for good but usually do not eat enough of them tocrop harvests that was anticipated in the keep the infestation under control.current farming season. Brown spots on your maize leaves are often the first sign that you have an In Zambia, the Government has armyworm problem.already spent US$ 3 million in an attempt 2. Spray the grass heavily with ato control the pest that has affectedapproximately 130 000 hectares of crops.32 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
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TECHNICAL FEATURE | CROPSSAS demonstratesthe best of SakataMayFord seedsfor tomatoes andbutternut There are a number of different Looking ahead to the next vegetable Quick specs on each variety: choices for vegetable seeds out production season, the decision MFH7032 of what type of variety to plant is • It is a long life determinate variety for there and they all promise to approaching. It’s one of the most open field production. deliver results. But how do you important decisions a farmer will make. • It has excellent yield potential and good single out the best seed for you? quality fruit.Swaziland Agricultural Supplies, There are a number of considerations • The fruits are oblate in shape and the when evaluating your options. These average fruit size is approximately 170- popularly known as SAS, put include yield, maturity and disease 190g.four Sakata MayFord hybrid seed resistance. • MFH7032 has high resistance to Verticilium race 1, Fusarium wilt races 1 varieties to the test and invited On 19th September 2016, SAS, and 2, Tomato Spotted Wilt and Root-knot local farmers to see the results. distributors of Sakata MayFord vegetable as well as Bacterial wilt race 1. seed in Swaziland, planted three varieties • It is an early maturing hybrid that is SIBUSISO MNGADI reports. of tomato seed (ZEAL, MFH7032 and suitable for planting all year round in frost- DISCO LL) as well as one butternut hybrid free areas. variety (ATLAS) at a demonstration plot at • It is good for selling in the fresh market. NAMBoard, Encabeni. • Plant 12,000 to 14,000 trees per hectare, and spacing should be 45-50cm in row and In the first week of January 2017, 160cm between rows. SAS invited vegetable growers to see ZEAL the results of the demonstration. The • It is a medium-late maturing, very event was attended by over 70 farmers adaptable, semi-determinate salad tomato from across the country, comprising hybrid. mainly contract growers of NAMBoard. • The plants are very robust and sturdy As an introduction, a training workshop with a bush height of about 90cm. was held, and topics included growing • The fruit is globe in shape, uniform in tomatoes, choosing the best seed varieties size, weighing about 170-190g. for a given area, climate, and market • The fruit have a jointed peduncie and requirements. The farmers were impressed are firm. with the consistently good yields from all • Zeal has a very high yield potential, with the tomato seed varieties despite being a very good first class grading. planted in a summer characterized by • The leaf canopy is medium and the high temperatures and frequent rains. general vigour of plants tends to make The butternut variety also impressed the it less susceptible to diseases under farmers with its large fruit size, weighing conditions normally conducive to disease. an average of 2-3kg per fruit. • Zeal has high resistance to Verticilium race 1, Fusarium wilt races 1 and 2, Root- SAS representative and seed specialist, knot and intermediate resistance against Bonginkhosi Vilakati, said they felt the Bacterial wilt race 1. need to create awareness about the • Zeal is one of the most widely used benefits and characteristics of popular Sakata MayFord seed varieties for tomatoes and butternut. “The majority of tomato growers in Swaziland have a problem with bacterial wilt,” he said. “It is therefore important to choose a seed variety that is highly resistant to bacterial wilt to mitigate the problem.” He mentioned that MFH7032, in particular, has shown very good resistance to bacterial wilt when compared to other hybrid tomato seed in the market.34 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
TECHNICAL FEATURE | CROPS and fruits can between 2kg and 3kg in summer. • Atlas is also well suited for cooler season harvests as fruit are smaller and suitable for the fresh market. • Flavour is considered excellent with improved colour and high sugars. • The flesh texture is very firm and rind is very smooth. • The rind colour is tan when mature. • The mature fruit have excellent shelf life. • Fruit are used as traditional butternut but the superior quality makes ATLAS ideal for processing. It is a variety of choice for most processors. • The ideal plant population is 10,000 – 12,000 plants per hectare. • Do not plant more than 15,000 plants per hectare. • Spacing is generally 160cm between rows and 100cm in row. • Irrigation in the afternoon should be avoided. • It is not recommended that you fertilise with nitrogen, especially close to the fruit. For more information, contact: Bonginkosi Vilakati, Swaziland Agricultural Supplies, Tenbergen Street, Manzini. Tel. 25055288determinate hybrids in Southern Africadue to its consistent reliability andperformance.• It can be planted all year round in frost-free areas.• It is also good for selling in the freshmarket.• Plant 10,000 to 16,000 trees per hectareand your spacing should be 50-55cm in rowand 160cm between rows.DISCO LL• It is a long shelf life tomato with anexcellent track record.• It is a semi-determinate mediummaturing variety with a very strong growthand good fruit colour and flavour.• Plants are very vigorous with a very goodleaf cover.• Yield potential is very high with a veryhigh percentage of first grade fruit.• The variety is aimed at the typical pre-pack market but for outdoor production.• Disco LL has high resistance toVerticillium wilt race 1, Fusarium wiltraces 1 and 2, Root-knot and intermediateresistance to Bacterial cancer, Bacterialspeck, Bacterial spot and Bacterial wiltrace 1.• The average fruit weight is 160-190g.• It is oblate in shape with a jointedpendicle.• Plant 10,000 – 12,000 trees per hectaremake your spacing 40-50cm in row and160cm between rows.ATLAS F1• It is a Cucurbita moschata type butternutbearing large fruit with excellent fruitqualities.• It is widely adapted and its overallvigour tends to make it less susceptible todiseases.• Yield potential is very good.• Fruit set is excellent and covers a longbearing season.• Fruit shape is similar to that of Waltham agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 35
ADVERTORIAL Public hatchery for everyone in MafutseniKalulu Animal & Farm Supplies hens,” she says. MAIN: Chicks hatching ia a started operating as a public The company plans Surehatch incubator. hatchery in 2015. Initially, the business focussed to increase volumes ABOVE: Anette conducting training on breeding indigenous chickens and by setting up egg on indigenous chicken production to a selling day-old chicks. While this collection points in major group of farmers supported by World aspect of the business still subsists, towns across the country. Vision.e3 the proprietors saw an opportunity in “For now we are looking at hatching poultry eggs for and on behalf forging partnerships with existing roosters versus hens, atleast one rooster of customers. agricultural retailers in the targeted for every 5-10 hens,” she says. She adds areas to serve as collection points that roosters need not be many as they “Some of our customers for chicks and also distribution points for chicks also tend to fight all the time insteading would enquire about hatching eggs from when they are hatched,” she says. “We of mating. their own chickens, especially those are still working out the logistics and breeding special exotic breeds such as we shall advise our customers in due It is also important for the farmer to Malay Game,” says Anette Mngadi, the course.” monitor productivity of individual stock. technical director. None performing stock such as hens not Farmers interested in using the laying regularly should be curled and The public brings all sorts of poultry services of the public hatchery are replaced with younger ones. eggs for incubation, including chickens, advised to collect eggs from their nest turkeys, guinea fowls, quails and boxes on a daily basis and keep them in Farmers are also advised to avoid in- ducks,” says Anette. “In fact, we used the house in trays for not more than 7 breeding as the quality and size of their to incubate some geese eggs as well but days. “The hatching rate improves when chickens is affected over time. “I always we have since stopped because they do the eggs are still fresh - that’s why we advise my customers to differentiate no perform well, possibly because we do advise farmers to bring the eggs on a between their breeding stock and not have appropriate big size trays.” week-by-week cycle,” says Anette. the chickens they are growing for the market or for consumption,” she says. The hatchery has capacity to The eggs have to be kept in trays incubate an average 10,000 eggs per with the sharp point facing down. “It is Anette can be reached at: 76031766. Email: month using a combination of incubators not advisable to keep eggs in basins or [email protected] from Furuida, China and Surehatch, tupperware dishes as they tend to crack South Africa. “At the moment, we or shake thus reducing hatchability,” incubate an average 4000 eggs per she emphasises. “The airspace on the month, which is less than 50 percent of broadside of the needs to be intact and our capacity,” she says. “The challenge the york should not shake.” with this kind of business is that egg laying is seasonal and is usually best She explains that there are many during the summer months.” factors affecting the success rate of hatching an egg. Paramount to these For a chicken to lay an egg, sufficient factors is the management of the light is necessary. “Winter has shorter breeding stock. “You need to make day-time thus reducing the laying rate in sure that you have the correct ratios of36 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
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TECHNICAL FEATURE | BROILERSControlling the environment inpoultry houses reduces mortality MAIN: Clear span broiler house at LA The climate in poultry houses Stewart Hulley, the Managing Director Hulley influences the wellbeing and of LA Hulley Farms in Malkerns, knows health of chickens. Respiratory, the value of having a proper ventilation INSERT: Fogging nozzles hanging on digestive and behavioural system. “In December, temperates in the roof of the broiler house. disorders are more likely to occur in Malkerns were between 40 and 45 degrees houses in which the climatic conditions celsius,” says Stewart. “Without proper INSERT2: A display of Nu Roof paint are not up to standard. cooling systems we would have lost a lot at Plascon in Manzini. of stock.” He mentions that he is aware of The efficiency with which feed is a farmer in Mozambique who lost 40,000 ABOVE: Open-side ventilation of the utilised is related to the health status of chickens when they were just about ready 6 broiler houses. the flock. Animals that are not healthy for the market. At an average E25 per cannot be expected to perform optimally. chicken, the loss was estimated to be Genetics and nutritional above E1 million. improvements in broiler The younger the animals are or the higher their production level, the more LA Hulley has six broiler houses with production have been sensitive they become to the climatic capacity to take 20,000 each.As a result extremely important to conditions in the house. Climate can be of the unpredictable weather patterns the efficiency of poultry defined as the sum of environmental and heatwaves sometimes experienced meat production; however, factors which influence the functioning of by the country, the company is gradually the full genetic potential the animal. implementing environmental control systems in all the houses. They are of broilers can not be Maintaining proper temperature currently trying out a paint product called reached unless the proper to promote efficient growth is key to NU ROOF which reflects UV light. This environment is maintained profitable broiler production. paint is available at Plascon Paints in Manzini. “Four of the houses have been in the broiler house. In fact, ventilation is the main means painted with NU ROOF,” says Stewart,SIBUSISO MNGADI writes. of controlling the birds’ environment. further revealing that they experienced Ventilation maintains acceptable air low mortality during the heatwave as a quality in the house while keeping the result. birds within their comfort temperature Recently, they have also introduced Ventilation provides adequate fresh a fogging system using 20mm Low air, removes excess moisture, and limits Density Pipes. In this system, the fogging the build-up of potentially harmful gases nozzles provide a fine mist of water and airborne by-products. that evaporates, thus lowering the air temperature. Huge fans are used to During the early stages of the birds’ circulate the air around the house. life, ventilation supplies heat into the house to keep the birds warm and Computer controllers are used to determine when the fans operate and for comfortable, and provides sufficient how long. The combination of controller fresh air to maintain an acceptable air and air inlets allows control of how much quality in the house. air enters the house and where it will enter and allows good air quality to be As the birds grow and start to produce maintained. more heat, higher ventilation rates are needed to remove heat and the products Sekunjalo Irrigation supplied and of respiration (moisture) from the house. installed the fogging system at LA Hulley while Mormond Electrical supplied pumps. Monitoring bird behavior and adjusting ventilation in response to bird behavior to ensure that bird comfort and activity is maintained is key. In recent years, Swaziland has experienced extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves, especially during summer. A lot of farmers, especially small- scale farmers who do not have proper systems to control the environment lost huge amounts of stock.38 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
TECHNICAL | POULTRY for small expenses such as school fees and medicines. Importance of chicken Rearing Chickens can be reared for quite a number of reasons. They are mainly reared for nutritional, health, economic and social benefits.A Guide to Village Chicken Chicken egg and meat for nutritional and health benefitREARING Animal protein consumed in ruralBY EMMANUEL MAPHANGA areas frequently comes from village chicken meat and eggs.Keeping chickens can make a also due to low hatchability at about 70% substantial contribution to and high mortality. An estimated 40-60% Chicken meat and eggs provide a the household nutrition and of chicks die during their first eight weeks readily available, high-quality source of food security throughout the mainly due to disease and predators. The proteins, vitamins and micronutrients. developing world including Swaziland. low productivity of indigenous chicken It helps diversify incomes and provides can also be part attributed to the fact Eggs are an excellent source of iron, quality food, energy, fertilizer and that traditionally chickens receive little zinc and vitamin A, all of which are a renewable asset for the rural care. At night they are sheltered in small essential to health, growth and wellbeing. households. hen houses or in a room of the family house, to protect them from predators Chickens and eggs contribute to Small-scale chicken producers are and bad weather. During the day, the a nutritious, balanced diet, which is however constrained by poor access chickens seek their food around the especially important for children, nursing to markets, goods and services; they house. mothers and people who are ill. have weak institutions and lack skills, knowledge and appropriate technologies. Characteristics of village chickens Chickens however are an important The result is that both production and They comprise local genetic stock but source of food for women post-birth; productivity remain well below potential rarely, interbred with improved stock chickens are payment to villagers for and losses and wastage can be high. are raised extensively in relatively small local health services. However, adapted breeds, local feed numbers (between 1–50) are not usually resources and appropriate vaccines are confined and obtain most of their diet Economic and Social benefit available, along from scavenging for food and water Chickens can be sold or bartered to around the home (including household meet family needs such as medicines, In general, indigenous chickens have wastes) and village require minimal clothes and school fees. a variety of morphological appearances. investment in inputs, with most if not In this way, they act as a ready They vary in colour, comb type, body all of the inputs generated around the source of cash for emergencies and small conformation and weight, and may or home engage labour inputs that are not purchases. may not possess shank feather. Eggs have salaried but are drawn from the family, Village chickens provide manure and thick shells and deep yellow coloured with women and children commonly most play a role in pest control. yolk. Indigenous chickens, however, responsible for their care production They are also important for special have low productivity - average annual is geared essentially toward home festivals or to meet social events. egg production is estimated at 60 eggs consumption and savings (a living bank) They are generally owned and (average 38g); while the carcass at 6 managed by women and children. months of age is about 0.5 kg from a live Simple changes in management of bird of about 1.5kg. Low productivity is village chickens can significantly improve production and the living conditions of many rural families in terms of enhanced nutrition and income generation through the sale of surplus chickens or eggs. Improved village chicken production is therefore a low-cost and important aspect of rural development. Chickens are gifts to newly married couples; and chickens strengthen social networks between women. Why demand for chicken rearing is increasing? Significant returns can be achieved from village chickens without the need for expensive housing, complex technology and funding for the purchase of inputs not available locally. Chicken meat and eggs are a source of high-quality nutrients (e.g. proteins and micronutrients) that are often otherwise unavailable to resource-poor families. Village chickens are often cared for by women and children and so programs that improve production will simultaneously improve the income and knowledge of these household members. agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 39
TECHNICAL | POULTRY Ten simple rules for better good protein rich feeds such as balanced management feeds or from simple supplementarycontinued from Page 39 sources such as maggots, snails, termites Challenges in village chicken • Provide simple houses or shelters etc. and perches inside housesproduction system Keeping the flock healthy and High mortality rate which could reach • Use day shelters (basket) during productive day and night shelter (basket)as high as 80–90% within the first few during night; Do not buy animals at the marketweeks after hatching, due to diseases from uncontrolled sources, especiallyand predation. • Give unlimited access to clean not during periods when outbreaks water; Separate young chicks of diseases are common. They may Feed inadequacy in terms of both from adults, when they are fed; introduce contagious diseases into yourquantity and quality. Feed is below the flock. It is of great value to vaccinate allrequirement for optimum egg production • Control the birds’ health daily; birds against Newcastle Disease and otherand the deficiency is more serious during • Apply vaccines regularly prevailing diseases such as Fowl Pox on athe short rainy and dry seasons. regular basis to prevent high mortality. according to the advice of local Small chicks should be vaccinated against Low productivity of local chicken. vaccinators or veterinarians; the common contagious diseases at the Inadequate extension services. • Isolate a bird when it becomes age of 2-3 weeks. Revaccination should Inadequate credit facilities. ill, - call the veterinary assistant always be performed according to the Lack of organized marketing system. or kill the bird; instructions. Seasonal fluctuation of price • Kill or sell non-productive birds, i.e. cockerels and old hens that General hygiene Socio-cultural constraints to chicken have stopped laying; In case of serious diseases you shouldproduction • Provide nests, and control nests slaughter the chickens (it can be eaten for eggs two times a day; if cooked well), call the veterinarian, The value placed upon chicken for use • Check the reproduction status or use drugs if you feel absolutely sureat ceremonies and festivals or even as a of each hen once a month, and that you know the disease. If you do notsource of income in times of need but not give extra care to hens that are kill sick chick (en) at once, it must beas a source of daily food nor as a regular brooding separated from the others. Sick birds (orsource of income. parts from sick birds) should be burned a little dry lime or ash to protect them or buried deep enough to avoid that Some regard chickens as their pets against parasites dogs and other animals dig them up andor part of the family, thus it is only the spread the disease. If you have many sickarrival of an important unexpected Simple rules for chicken farming animals, do not introduce new birds, andvisitor that could allow their use as food, and breed selection do not vaccinatealthough they can be sold without regret Note: Before introducing new birds toand the money utilized. A breed is a group of Chicken with your flock, you should keep them isolated a characteristic body form and feather for one to two weeks. Understanding Chicken behaviour contours. In order to prevent internal as well In the wild, chickens will form small as external parasites a good hygiene isflocks of 1-5 hens with one cock. In Features such as the comb, colour of a must. So every day the feeders andcommercial environments, smallholder ear lobes and shank colours and length are drinkers should be washed, and thefarmers will keep small flocks of 4-10 usually determined by breed. You should house and the nests must be cleaned forhens and one cock, but flocks may vary practice judging the external features of droppings and insects. Put fresh straw orfrom one up to around 30 adults and cocks, hens, growers and chicks. hay in the nests weekly. Adding a littleyoung growers, depending on the feed ash on top may help prevent parasites.resource base and disease level in the Always choose birds with a lively At least once a year, and always afterarea. Keeping a balanced cock: hen behaviour. serious outbreaks of diseases, the house,ratio helps that the birds are still able perches, and nests should be disinfectedto recognize each other, which will help Always check whether the hens are in by thorough cleaning and lime-washing.minimize conflicts among the birds lay. Alternative ways of disinfection, e.g. A hen will often find a dark, quiet smoking, may be used but are lessplace for laying eggs and for brooding. Potentially good layer has a long effective. The birds should always haveAfter 21 days of incubation, fertile eggs straight back a broad bottom. access to a dry place for dust bathing. Ifwill hatch. they prefer a certain place, you may add Chicken have a very constant rhythm Always check the belly and navel spot a little ash against the parasites. You mayday in and day out: In the early morning of newly hatched chicks. encounter problems with hens peckingand late afternoon they scavenge for each other, but mostly in flocks with highfood. Later in the morning the hens will Keep new birds isolated for a few density, or if you keep local birds insideoften lay eggs, and at noon they will rest. weeks before introducing them into the during the day.When they sleep at night, they prefer to flock.sit high in order not to be easy prey for Wounds from pecking should bepredators. The results of crossbreeding should treated immediately to avoid cannibalism always be monitored carefully. in the flock. Personal care To protect against very high or low Flock Management The drinker and feeder should betemperatures and to be fit to escape A village hen often weighs no more carefully cleaned early morning and latepredators, it is important for birds to than 1.2 – 1.5 kg at the point of lay. A evening to avoid spreading of diseases.have good feathers. They therefore spend village cock weighs maybe 1.4 – 2.0 kgmuch time cleaning and preening their at age of maturity. Poultry need a good Scientific studies indicated that afeathers with their beaks. At least once supply of varied feed and of clean water. simple management improvement ona day, they will dust bathe, which also Depending on the time of the year they village poultry can maximize productionprotects them against external parasites. will be able to find part of their feed by and productivity.The birds should always have access to a scavenging in the surroundings of thedry place for dust bathing. If they prefer household. But often they will need ana certain place, the farmer should add extra supply of nutrients in order to gain weight and for hens to lay a good quantity of eggs. Especially the small chicks need40 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
TECHNICAL | POULTRYManagement tips for growingvillage chickensWorldwide, village chickens a rich yellow colour to egg yolks, often very hour, pour the clean water carefully without account for 80 percent of all poor in village eggs; the flower petals are disturbing the sediment at the bottom and poultry production in a sector also sprinkled in the brooding box along there you have up to 98% pure clean drinking that grows annually by 15 with m’salinga, acting as an antifungal and water. (10 seeds to 10 litre and so forth).percent, yet these chickens are mostly left antiviral agent.to their own resources and losses are very Chick separationhigh due to little or no management basics. Water After hatching, do not let the chicks join Clean, fresh water is one of the essential the flock until five weeks old, they are too It is therefore time to introduce a few factors in chicken production, yet most fragile and easily harmed by the large flockessential management tips without shaking village chickens never have the pleasure of trampling, rooster dominance and pecking astraditions but applying simple basics to form any water, let alone clean! Here where we well as predator targets. Create an enclosurea first step in increasing flocks three to four have a hot climate and the birds can suffer with straw or branches where the mothertimes as we will now describe. heat stress, individually drinking up to two can scratch and scavenge to teach the young. cups a day could be necessary! Ensure a hideaway for storms, heat and Mostly, the village chicken is a Water must be provided in suitable hawks.domesticated bird producing within the care containers or dispensers and the containers Provide a mash for the young and aof its owner, not a game bird, and therefore must be cleaned EVERY DAY. developer ration for growth, these are notrelies on human assistance, pretty much part Natural Medication consumed in high volume which should be inof the family. Water is also used for applying some reach of small rural purchases. Alternatively antibiotics and commercial ones, particularly mix up malt porridge and add some crushed These birds retain all their natural for resistance to Newcastle Disease and Amaranth seed or whole corn crushed fine.instinct of breeding, mothering, flock Coccidiosis; however these may be out of Easy feed supplementdominance but look to the owner for support the reach of many rural farmers and the A traditional food plant in Africa,they cannot provide. traditional practice of adding some Aloe Amaranth has the potential to improve powder or juice is highly recommended, nutrition, boost food security, foster rural Housing similarly a small quantity of Cider Vinegar or development and support sustainable land Natural roosting is typically on tree even Urine improves resistance to diseases. care. It is also a drought crop and a commonbranches, while brooding would be found as Where water is turbid, and in fact all vegetable mixed with starch dishes.a safe enclosure among bush or rocky covers. water, can be purified with Moringa seed. Amaranth has a toasted flavour similarThe village chicken owner sometimes provides There are a few of these trees grown in the to popcorn when cooked, amaranth seedssimilar in what is probably a small roost with country, but best to obtain seeds and grow are small in size but a good source ofsome tree branches and grass weaved baskets around the homestead. Additionally Moringa carbohydrate and protein. It is rich in thefor brooding. is an excellent nutrient for humans as well amino acids methionine, cycteine and has Here we recommend that the owner as forage and even fertiliser, get some seeds, the highest content of lysine compare withcreate a larger roost with a boma or fenced they grow fast, keep them trimmed to head all grains. It also has three times the fibre ofenclosure having a thatch roof. The practice height for easy seed and leaf collection. wheat. Often milled into flour, bread madeis to give bird’s space and comfort as their Dry one seed of Moringa, crush it into from amaranth seeds is gluten free and has asafe enclosure. a powder, mix this into a paste and add to rich, nutty flavour. Brooding baskets should be raised a few 1 litre of water, shake well a few times in The amino acid methionine is particularlycentimetres off the ground in a tri-pod styled ten minutes, then leave to stand for one recommended for village chickens where itshanger. The weavers should use m’salinga deficiency is notable with poor featheringbranches as the basis of the nest. which is not a species of chicken, a favourite Parasite control concept on the ground. The owner placing m’salinga leaves inside This grain or pseudo-cereal is alreadythe nest for laying, replacing these after each grown here and rural farmers should ensurehatching or every few weeks in egg-laying. large patches are planted for whole familyAdditionally the owner collects m’silinga and village chicken consumption with storageleaves, shreds them and soaks in water for out of growing season.24 hours, squashing every now and again to Those are then the basic steps to improveextract the juices. The water is then placed village chicken production, where flock sizesin any spray bottle or insecticide sprayer can be anticipated at three to four timesand applied to the entire flock and brooding within a similar growing period as currentlynests every two weeks. The left over leaves practiced, without any major adjustment toscattered on the ground of the roost area traditional methods.(after sweeping out droppings and collecting And one last note…..collect all egg shells,onto a composting heap). wash and dry them, then crush small and add Additionally, grow Marigold’s all around to feed which provides calcium and improvesyour property, they are attractive, repel egg shell in laying hens.mosquitoes, flies and other insects, many of BY GO-TO-GROWwhich introduce bacteria to your chickensbut most of all, the flower petals and seedsare an excellent additive to feeding, adding agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 41
TECHNICAL | BROILER PRODUCTIONAchieving uniformity in broilers The objective of the broiler What is a uniform flock? Nature has made male broilers capable farmer is to produce a well In a normal flock approximately 75% of achieving 150 to 200 grams more of the males and 78% of the females liveweight than females by 6-7 weeks of grown, uniform flock of should be with l0% of the average age. Nature also ensures a roughly 50/50 broilers, at the least possible weight for each sex for the flock to ratio between males and females. have satisfactory uniformity. As the Farmers sometimes complain that they cost. In this equation flock male weight is higher, the variability have received more females and feweruniformity plays an important of weights among males is higher. But males. It must be understood that no many flocks do not attain this degree hatcheries sex their broiler hatches role in maximizing the of uniformity, while others are better. unless specifically asked to do so. In returns. Too often the farmer What factors are responsible for lack of the fast growing hybrid broiler it is uniformity? When exactly does it start? sometimes difficult to distinguish the complains that 80% of his How can it be prevented? males from the females, as the early flock is at 1.8kg while 20% is Ten Factors Causing Lack of Uniformity comb growth is very slow. just 1.4kg. On a flock of 1 000 1. Male and female differences The natural lack of uniformity of 5-8%birds this farmer has lost 80kg 2. Uniformity of chick weights on receipt can be reduced in slow feathering 3. Early dehydration broiler breeds by feather sexing and of liveweight. 4. Improper brooding temperature separate sex rearing on receipt of the 5. Lack of ventilation chicks at the farm. This is particularly MANQOBA FAKUDZE 6. Selective feeding advantageous in large flocks reared writes. 7. Overcrowding at high stocking densities, where 8. Insufficient feeder and water space the separately reared males can be 9. Feed quality harvested at five weeks, giving more 10. Disease space for the females during the sixth week. The majority of these factors are within 2. Uniformity of chick weights on the farmer’s control. receipt When does it start? Where large flocks of broilers are Lack of uniformity starts within a few ordered it is not always possible for hours of the chicks being put into the hatcheries to supply them from eggs brooding area. The modern broiler of the same flock. Differences in egg reaches a weight of approximately 2.0 weights will result in differences in chick kg in 6 weeks. To achieve this the initial weights. Separate brooding of different chick weight should triple or better chick sizes received from the hatchery during the first week of brooding. At this is the first step in achieving flock rate of growth, a uniformity problem uniformity. can get rapidly worse and must be 3. Early dehydration attended to as soon as it is recognized. Where chicks are received after a Achieving Uniform Flocks long transit period, particularly in hot A brief consideration of the factors climates, they are easily dehydrated. causing lack of uniformity will help the Over 70% of the chick weight is water farmer to identify his problems and take and dehydration can reduce their weight action to improve his flock uniformity. significantly. The chicks must receive 1. Male and female differences water (preferably with vitamins added) immediately on arrival. It is important that all chicks drink immediately. The42 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
chicks that receive water after a delay TECHNICAL | BROILER PRODUCTIONwill suffer an early setback and lack ofuniformity will be observed in a coupleof days. In order to ensure that allchicks receive water immediately fourpractices are recommended.• Dip the beaks of weak chicks in water before placing into the brooding area.• Activate nipple drinkers with a broom where applicable.• Make sure water is available ie. the right height for the chicks. Remember a day old chick in winter is more likely to want warmth than cold water. If water is not very visible chicks will not drink.• Allow water to reach brooder the number of birds reared in a given use of paper to feed onto is encouraged temperature before arrival of the size of house. Overcrowding is a short- and a rule of thumb approximately 30% chicks. sighted policy, as it not only creates of the initial brooding floor area should competition for floor space but for be occupied by feed. 4. Improper brooding temperature. feeder and water space as well. It 9. Feed quality Correct brooding temperature at litter also reduces the amount of fresh air A farmer might have the best-feedlevel is vital to get the chicks off to available in the shed. Any competition formulation in the world. This is of nothe best possible start. Brooders should for space will affect flock uniformity. use unless he is able to procure qualitybe started 24 hours before the chicks The weaker birds will suffer and the ingredients, grind them to the correctarrive. The temperature should be 33°C farmer will lose money. Overcrowding size and mix them just right. Feedto start with, reducing by approximately will also cause stress to the birds and manufacturing is an art and a science,1°C every 2 days. The temperature must E. coli organisms which are commensal and is best done by experts. Poor feedbe evenly distributed over the chicks. If organisms of the intestine will flare up, quality arising from any of the abovethis is not achieved some chicks (usually leading to complex diseases, which also factors will result in an unbalanced diet,the marginally smaller ones) are chilled, affect flock uniformity. selectively feeding and perhaps disease.start huddling and lose weight resulting Ensure that broilers are not overcrowded These are factors that can seriouslyin an early lack of uniformity. Floor in the brooding period. As a starting affect uniformity and growth. temperature is critical during the initial point, 40 chicks per square meter is 10.Disease brooding phase. sufficient up to about 5 days. Thereafter Any disease can ruin the uniformityThis temperature should be as close increase the area regularly giving the of the flock. While the chicks mayto the air temperature as possible and whole house not later than 21 days in leave the hatchery healthy, diseasethermometers should be recording winter and 14 days in summer. particularly respiratory infection cantemperature at chick level. Floor 8. Insufficient feeder and water space strike right from the transportationtemperatures which are too low Traditionally farmers have been period onwards. Multiple age groupwill result in poor chick activity and providing two tube feeders per 100 rearing in the same farm multiplies thecontribute to poor uniformity. As well as birds. This may have been satisfactory chance of disease. It must be understoodabsorbing moisture, the litter material for the relatively slow growing broiler 10 that while a disease may be obvious inalso acts as an insulator. It is important years ago. However todays broiler needs 20% of the flock, most of the other birdsthat litter material is at least 150mm to have full access to feed at all times. are fighting the infection in subclinicaldeep in the brooding area. All birds should be able to eat from the form. Disease affects different birds5. Lack of ventilation feeders at the same time. Experience to different degrees, feed and waterWhen chicks are brooded together, the has shown that with a minimum of consumption drop, weight gain stops orcarbon dioxide and ammonia released three feeders per 100 birds the results even reduces and the flock is generallyhas to escape and fresh air must be in terms of body weight and uniformity rendered unprofitable. brought in. This may be achieved by are outstanding. The increased initial Prevention of the disease is betteropening the upper part of the curtains to investment can be recovered in a few than cure and all-in-all-out rearing,allow proper ventilation. Early exposure flocks. Water is the most important biosecurity and proper nutrition andto ammonia can seriously damage the nutrient particularly in hot climates. vaccination programme can preventrespiratory system causing secondary Any competition for water space will most diseases. A liveability of 98% mustinfections later. Some chicks are more result in the weaker birds getting be aimed for and anything lower meansaffected than others resulting in lack of dehydrated and poor of uniformity one needs to check the efficiency of theuniformity. A good amount of fresh air ensues. Ensure that at all times all birds disease prevention programme. bringing enough oxygen for growth is have access to cool and clean drinking Acknowledgement: essential. water. Bell drinkers should be supplied Keith J. Rosario - Poultry International6. Selective feeding at 1/100 birds (minimum) or 12 birds per August 1999.By instinct chicks pick up larger and nipple post brooding. Access to feed and Manqoba Fakudze is the Technicalmore palatable particles of feed. The water at an early stage is vital. Ensure Advisor at National Chicks, Swaziland.practice of starting chicks on mash must a minimum of one chick fount per 100 He can be reached at techadvisor@be carefully evaluated as this may lead chicks or 30 chicks per nipple, as well as natchix.co.sz Tel: 25187238 / 76021640.to selective feeding. Consequently, the one scratch pan per 100 chicks. Wherechicks get an unbalanced diet resulting nipples are used from the start, makein poor uniformity. Chicks should be sure that the pressures are low enoughstarted on broiler starter crumbles. for the chicks to activate the nipple. The7.Overcrowding Farmers are often tempted to increase agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 43
TECHNICAL TIPS | POULTRY BY MNCEDISI SIMELANE Cleaning poultry housesNow that the Christmas broiler curtains in open-sided poultry houses first. 10. Fumigate farming rush is over and some 6. Remove equipment Where permitted, formalin fumigation have had an added cash injection Remove all equipment from the house should be completed by trained personnel, and others have been shocked following safety legislation and guidelines. by the complexity of raising broilers as and raise automatic feeders and drinkers. As Feedmaster we have trained technical a business, its time to clean the broiler Thoroughly wash them individually in a officers that can assist with training our houses. separate bin with a brush ensuring you customers on the use of the products. remove scales and crusts. Fumigate as soon as possible after The reason why this exercise has to be disinfection; surfaces should be damp and planned and orchastrated carefully is as to 7. Wash the house warmed to a minimum of 21C ‘eradicate’ any disease casuing agent that Use a pressure washer with a foam and a relative humidity of greater than 65 maybe left after cathing and slaughtering. detergent such as Biogen Super. Ensure percent. Seal the house for 24 hours. Prior Honestly speaking we cannot eradicate all the detergent is compatible with the to permitting any re-entry, ventilate the the disease causing agent but we try to do disinfectant to be used. Rinse with hot house to reduce formalin levels to 2 ppm. our best job in the cleaning to reduce the water. Repeat fumigation after the litter has been pathogen count in the broiler house. 8. Clean water and feeding systems spread. Soak water system with a Hydrosan for Don’t forget external areas. External 1. Establish a plan 12hrs (6pm-6am). This helps to remove areas around the poultry house should also Any good poultry house cleaning and biofilms from the pipes. Drain and flush the be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly. disinfection program will start with a plan. water system with a disinfectant and then Particular attention should be paid to the Dates and times, along with the labour clean water.Water pipes should be cleaned areas under the ventilator and extractor and equipment needed, and this should be at least once per flock to remove any fans, under feed bins, access routes, door established prior to depleting the farm. biofilm that may have built up. If physical surrounds and gutters. 2. Protective Clothing cleaning is not possible, use high levels Ideally, the poultry house should be Wearing appropriate protective (140 ppm) of chlorine. surrounded by an area of concrete or clothing/ equipment, spray the poultry Flush water lines with clean, fresh gravel (1-3 meters). If this is not possible, house interior with a locally recommended water prior to flock placement. Empty, the area around the house must be free insecticide as soon as the flock is removed wash and disinfect all feeding equipment. from vegetation and machinery and and while the house is still warm. A second Empty bulk bins and connecting pipes and equipment and have a level, well-drained treatment with insecticide should be brush out. Clean out and seal all openings surface. completed before fumigation. Wherever possible, fumigate. Evaluating farm cleaning, disinfection 3. Remove and dispose of litter 9. Disinfect efficacy Litter must be removed to a distance Use an approved disinfectant such • The efficacy of clean and disinfection of at least 3.2 km and disposed of as Biosept Plus, that is effective against should be monitored regularly. in accordance with poultry hygiene specific poultry bacteria and viruses. • Bacterial and salmonella counts guidelines. It is encouraged that it is Follow manufacturer’s instructions at all should be completed at least once per dug into the ground for the recycling of times. flock. nutrients. Most disinfectants are not effective • Monitoring trends in Salmonella 4. Dry Cleaning against sporulated coccidial oocysts, and counts will permit continuous Remove all dust and cobwebs from selective coccidial treatments should be improvements in farm hygiene to be made. interior surfaces and equipment. This used by trained staff only. The product • It should be remembered that if includes from the roof, walls, side fence Neopredisan is available on order to kill cleaning and disinfection have been and curtains and the floor. For this you the eggs of these spore forming pathogens. effective, no Salmonella species should be use, shovels, spades, brooms and industrial It is always worth remembering isolated during sampling. dusting equipment. that disinfectants are ineffective in the 5. Pre-spray presence of dirt and organic matter and Mncedisi Simelane is the Technical Sales Advisor Again, wearing appropriate protective should not be applied to wet surfaces, as at Feedmaster. He can be contacted at: 2518 5510. equipment, spray detergent solution this will result in dilution. Email: [email protected] throughout the broiler house interior to dampen any remaining dust. Close the44 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
A simple guide Feeding Village ChickensBY BHEKI MHLANGA Age of Bird (weeks) Feeding instructions 1-3 weeks Commercially prepared 18 to 21% protein chick starter. Provide approximately 1kg of starter per bird in the first three weeks. The starter should contain a coccidiostat. 4-8 weeks Commercially prepared 15 to 18% grower (about 5kg per bird) with coccidiostat. OR Yellow Maize Crush mixed with 35 to 40% protein supplement with coccidiostat. Typically, 150kg of supplement is mixed with about 850kg of grain. 8 - Market Commercially prepared, 15 to 16% protein (unmedicated) finisher (3 to 6kg per bird) OR Mix Fowl Feed plus unmedicated finisher supplement mixed at levels similar to three weeks of age. Bheki Mhlanga is Technical Advisor at Farm Services / Cranefeeds. He can be reached at +268 2518 4287. Email: [email protected] agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 45
LIFESTYLE | HEALTHY EATINGThe Benefits Of Beans9 Reasons Why YOU Should Eat Beans The benefits of beans are so protect itself, the body pulls this needed numerous that we can’t say calcium from the bones, the most enough in praise of a beans abundant source we have. diet. Healthy beans are so outstanding that only green vegetables Further, if we eat more protein than come close as a valuable food source. the human body can use, it is broken Beans are so loaded with nutrition and down and excreted which overworks the taste that we’ve listed nine reasons kidneys by increasing the amount and below to devour huge quantities of flow of urine. The “nephrons”, which are beans – beginning today. the kidneys filter units, gradually die off in the process.“..if we eat more Beans & Proteinprotein than the Thanks to a relentless campaign So, yes, we need protein – but not ahuman body can from food industries, we have a highly huge amount of it and the best adviceuse, it is broken exaggerated idea of the amount of is to stick to plants. A variety of plantdown and excreted protein that is needed by our bodies. In foods provides all the protein we needwhich overworks fact, we only need a small percentage and, contrary to a popular myth, wethe kidneys by of the amount we usually get. If don’t need to ‘combine’ those proteinsincreasing the you staunchly refuse to believe this in any special way to get all eight aminoamount and flow statement, consider mother’s milk, acids that the body doesn’t produce.of urine.” which contains only 1.6 grams of protein That notion began with an influential per 1/2 cup, less than one half the book, Diet For A Small Planet. The protein of cow’s milk. The greatest author, Frances Moore Lappe, later growth time of our lives is when we are recanted, admitting she was in error. If babies, so if we needed huge amounts only all errors were so readily admitted! of protein wouldn’t mother’s milk, the “perfect food”, provide it? Fiber And Beans In fact, there are serious dangers to There are two kinds of fiber. The first high protein diets. Two examples are: is “insoluble” fiber, alias ‘roughage’, osteoporosis and kidney disease. The which can’t be used by the human body. bone thinning disease of osteoporosis Instead it moves on through, carrying is an epidemic in the United States out waste products and toxins. The more and high amount of protein have insoluble fiber we have, the less likely unquestionably played a huge part we are to retain foods inside our bodies in this explosion. High protein diets which keeps them from putrefying. Yes, cause calcium to be lost in the urine. that’s a gross thought but that doesn’t This calcium does not come from the make it any less true. meat – it comes from our bones. Animal “Soluble” fiber becomes gooey and products create uric acid which makes helps to process fats, lowers cholesterol our blood acidic. Calcium is the mineral and slows the release of carbohydrates that is most needed by the body to fight into the bloodstream. Many have acidity – and in its valiant attempt to reported a lower cholesterol score just from consuming more fiber. Quite simply, fiber is what makes you feel full! Obviously, if we feel full we will eat less and be more satisfied, our appetite will be more easily controlled and we will either lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Fiber, Beans And Weight Loss The most popular theory of dieting and weight loss for decades has revolved around calories. Experts have loudly proclaimed that there is an immutable formula for calories in, calories out but, in fact, all calories are not the same because some calories require much more digestion than others. The harder your body has to work to digest those calories, the less of them will be absorbed. The difference between a spoonful of sugar and a spoonful of beans is startling. In fact, if you’d like to46 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
reduce your calorie “price” by 10%, add LIFESTYLE | HEALTHY EATINGan extra 14 grams of fiber. This meansthat if you eat 2,000 calories per day,and add 28 grams of fiber to your meals,those calories will only “count” as 1600.Cool! It’s easy to get 30, 40, 50 or moregrams of fiber a day. There are fourfoods that supply lots of healthy fiber …* Beans* Vegetables* Fruits* Whole grains … and in that order, with beans beingthe best source of fiber. Set a target ofat least 40 grams per day. Beans haveapproximately 15 grams of fiber per cup. Fiber, Beans & Blood Sugar “Beans have A simple guide to cooking dried Scientists rate how quickly foods approximately beansrelease their natural sugars into the 15 grams ofbloodstream using a number called the fiber per cup.” It really comes down to coveringglycemic index or GI. Foods on the low beans in water and simmering them untilend of the glycemic scale release their name comes from the Greek word they are tender, that’s it. But here are anatural sugars slowly over a period of ‘leptos’ which means ‘thin’] controlled few pointers.time. Probably most resident in the the human appetite. There waswestern world have experienced the an incredible excitement over this To soak or not to soakfamous ‘sugar high’ and researchers are discovery and the dieting world hailed You don’t have to soak your beans inpositive that sugar – literally – acts like The Answer for all overweight folks. advance, however, a 6-8 hour presoaka drug on the human system. In fact, Unfortunately, leptin from outside does lessen the cooking time, if you’resome scientists have compared sugar to sources has thus far been a huge flop. the organized type.heroin! A quick presoak which also works Low glycemic foods, on the other Leptin is made by our body’s fat well, is to put them in cold water; bringhand, release their sugars more slowly cells. When the cells realize there is them gently to a boil and then with theand steadily, acting a constant source enough nourishment available, [meaning saucepan off the heat, allow them to sitof energy. These foods don’t send you’re not starving yourself by dieting!] in the water for 1 to 2 hours. Then drainyour blood sugar skyrocketing only to they release leptin into the bloodstream off the water, add fresh cool water tocrash soon after, causing your appetite which has two important effects: cover by one inch and begin cooking.to return and often making snacks Cooked to perfectionirresistible. * Your appetite declines … Place the beans in a large, thick- And, if you’re overweight, your body * Your metabolism is boosted and thus bottomed pan and add enough cooltissues are most likely more sensitive to calories are consumed more quickly … water to cover them by an inch. Add anyinsulin, the hormone that controls your flavor enhancers (see below) if using,blood sugar. Plant based, low-fat foods help to and bring to a boil. TIP: DO NOT salt the What makes a food low or high keep leptin levels high – while fatty water, as this can cause the beans toon the glycemic scale? It’s about foods, like animal products, suppress toughen.the carbohydrate molecules of the your leptin supply. And guess what? Skim off any scum that comes tosubstance. With low-GI food, the Beans are only 2-3% fat which means the surface, and lower the heat to amolecules are stacked and dense and they raise your leptin levels and reduce simmer. Continue to cook uncoveredhave been compared to a stack of logs appetite, while causing your metabolism until the beans are tender and add morewaiting to be burned in the winter to work harder and faster. water when needed to keep the beansfireplace. When the agents of digestion covered.in your body – your enzymes – go to work When cooking beans, always keepon these logs, it takes a long time to them at a simmer. Boiling can cause theburn them and that’s why your blood cooking liquid to evaporate too quickly,sugar isn’t much affected. as well as cause the beans to break High GI carbs are more like branches apart and the skins to separate.or twigs, with their molecules spread Cooking times and yieldsapart and surrounded by space. Your Cooking times will very with quality,enzymes quickly break them apart, amount and freshness of the beans; itreleasing all their sugar into the blood at can take from 1-2 hours. I say beans aremore or less the same time. done when they can be easily mashed Guess who’s the undisputed between two fingers or with a fork.champion of the low GI food groups? As a general rule, 1 cup dried beansThat’s right: legumes – beans, peas, will yield 3 cups cooked. I tend to cooklentils – with green veggies being a close in bigger batches, say 3 cups of driedsecond, calorie for calorie. beans, and freeze the extras in 2-cup portions. A Beans Diet And Leptin A few years ago, it was discovered Article contributed by Ministry of Agriculture,that a hormone named “leptin” [its HOME ECONOMICS SECTION. agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 47
LIFESTYLE | HEALTHY EATINGFood Preservation tips preserving foods are all designed to reduce or eliminate one or the other (or both) of these causative agents. Familiarize yourself with the reasons behind selecting any particular method of food preservation – Your choice of food preservation will depend on weighing up the advantages of each method. You should consider the following factors when deciding on which method to use: Space The amount of space you have will definitely impact on your choice of preservation. Someone living in a farmhouse can probably store dozens of preserved fruits in jars, whereas someone living in an apartment is unlikely to have the space to spare for rows of preserved plums. Climate The climate can aid or hinder the preservation especially the drying method.Food preservation refers to any Available equipment one of a number of techniques Some preserving methods require used to prevent food from specialized equipment that you may spoiling. It includes methods not have access to, or that you maysuch as canning, pickling, drying and be unwilling to use. For example, notfreeze-drying, irradiation, pasteurization, everybody enjoys the sterilization processsmoking, and the addition of chemical required to preserve fruit in jars and notadditives. everyone can build a smokehouse. Food preservation has become an Costincreasingly important component of Naturally, the costs involved inthe food industry as fewer people eat preserving your food should be weighedfoods produced on their own lands, against the cost of purchasing the foodand as consumers expect to be able to from a local market, supermarket orpurchase and consume foods that are out other source. In addition, there may beof season. costs in using up storage space, costs in purchasing equipment etc. Care should As our gardens begin to provide an be given, however, to include the benefitsabundance of produce you may consider of enjoyment from preserving one’s ownpreserving it for the winter months so food, as well as the health, environmentalthat food can be available all year round. and nutrient benefits that might ariseThe type of methods you choose to from preserving homegrown produce,preserve your harvest will not only affect costs that are very hard to quantify andthe eating quality of the food preserved should weigh heavily in your decision-but, most importantly the safety of the making.product preserved. Nature of the food By canning, pickling, or drying, the Be realistic about the ability of thelife span of some foods can be increased. food to be preserved. Some food will not tolerate any form of preserving and The various actions of needs to be eaten fresh. This means thatmicroorganisms result in the loss of you need to do your research. Also, someedibility, texture, flavor, and nutritional foods change during the preservingvalue of food and vast majority of process and become less palatable orinstances of food spoilage can be even take on characteristics that are lessattributed to one of two major causes: (1) health-giving. For example, use of nitritesthe attack by pathogens (disease-causing to preserve meat can turn healthy meatmicro organisms) such as bacteria and into a potentially carcinogenic product.molds, or (2) oxidation that causes the Be aware of the different ways ofdestruction of essential biochemical preserving food – There are possiblecompounds and/or the destructionof plant and animal cells. The variousmethods that have been devised for48 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
ways to preserve food and each one has Dehydration LIFESTYLE | HEALTHY EATINGdifferent considerations. As discussed There are many dehydrationin the previous step, it is important to products on the market for a low price. Curing and smoking.assess each of the possible preservation Dehydration is a good means for making Drying using smoke can be usedmethods that you might be considering food small for storage or carrying on trips for meats, fish, cheese and nuts. Curingusing against the factors that are outlined and it is easily restored to its original requires the addition of curing agentsbelow: plumpness or juiciness through the followed by smoking to preserve the addition of water. food. Although smoked and cured meat Drying can taste better, be aware that nitrates Drying is an ancient technique of food Sugaring and nitrites can be carcinogenic.preservation and works well for many Preserving through the use of treefood types. It is an inexpensive method saps or sugar is commonplace in some Fermenting and picklingof food preservation, as you rely on the parts of the world. Trees such as the Vegetables can be kept for severalsun or an oven. Dried foods are compact maple produce syrup which is high in months using fermentation or pickling.and easily stored or carried. The greatest sugar and maple syrup can be stored for Eggs can also be pickled to increasedisadvantages of drying food include a long time. Sugar that is added to jams, their shelf life. On the downside, there isloss of colour, loss of flavour and loss jellies, relishes and preserves helps to evidence that the acidic nature of pickledof vitamins. Some of these losses can lengthen the period of time that these foods can lead to health problems ifbe mitigated by not drying the food too condiments last. consumed too much.long. Guidelines for making jams and Hygiene and safety Guidelines for drying marmalade: Your ability to maintain a high • Select the best fruit or vegetable. level of hygiene and safety during the • Wash the fruit or vegetable. • Use fresh fruit that is just ripe preservation process is important. If you • Prepare fruit or vegetable to be always. cannot meet basic standards, it is best to not attempt a particular preservation dried as you want them to be • Remember to wash your fruit method and to either substitute for a served. and cooking utensils to prevent safer method or choose to not preserve • Keep pieces uniform in size and contamination. the food. thickness for even drying. • Select the drying method and • Sterilize your bottles in boiling Other issues equipment that is right for you. water for 30 minutes and allow Perhaps there are health issues • Know when your product is dry. them to drip-dry. involved in preserving. For example, • Pack dried food in a sealed some people are unable to tolerate container and store in a cool dry • Determining the setting point; preservatives used to create dry place. spoon a little jam on a saucer and fruit. Whilst it is possible to dry them allow it to cool, the jam should organically, they will discolour and Salting be thick when cold and form this may not be to the liking of some Salt is another ancient method of wrinkles when you push the jam consumers.preservation. Salt can be used as part with your fingertip.of the drying process. Salt increases Select your methodthe storage time of some foods such as • Bottle jam while it is still hot in The method that suits you most mayfish and it enhance the flavour of dried perfectly dry bottles even be a combination of methods listedfoodstuffs. The use of salt water brine is above, varying according to season andanother common method of preservation • Store jam in a cool dry place, dependent on convenience. You mightand it has the benefit of stopping the away from direct sunlight. even choose to harvest a crop and usegrowth of harmful organisms. Whilst it short and long term storage methodsis possible to wash off excess brine or salt Live animals and plants. to enable you to use the crop now andfrom salted food, this food will taste salty If there is room to grow plants and into the future. Whatever drives yourand the over-consumption of salt does keep animals, this can be another method ultimate choice, be sure to observe allcarry a risk of disease. of preserving food. Naturally, there must safety requirements and to label and date be space and knowledge of animal care is your preserved food if it is to be kept for Canning or bottling required. In some parts of the world, the a long period of time This process requires canning possibility of an all-year round vegetableequipment and the ability to use a heat and fruit garden means that it is possible Article contributed by Ministry of Agriculture,source. Foods preserved by this method to be self-sufficient throughout the year HOME ECONOMICS SECTION.are sealed in a closed container, such without having to resort to other forms ofas a can, glass jar or bottle. Such foods preserving unless wished.can be stored for up to a year. The costof canning or bottling can be expensiveafter purchasing the equipment and useof heating fuel and it is a fiddly processrequiring sterilization and knowledgeof the temperatures involved. Canningcannot be done in an oven but mustbe done using a water or steam bath.There is a risk of severe food poisoningif this process is not followed properly,especially in the case of low-acid foodssuch as vegetables and meat. agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017 49
TECHNICAL TIPS | CROPSFARM WITH KNOWLEDGE BY DICCON ROBINSION Growing problemsWhen vegetable plant in vegetable production symptoms indicate that growth and development of between the leaf veins. Sulphur causes chlorides plants are less than optimal, more uniform yellowing of the entire Leaves, general such symptoms may be caused by leaf. Leaf diseases stem, leaves or root problems. The Partial Drowning – cause is root dieback Chemical spray damage “entire” plant should be checked due to lack of oxygen around rot zone. Sunscald – particularly after periods ofwhen trying to determine the Root or stem rots – especially in wet cloudy weather probable cause of the problem, if it is soils Nutrient deficiencies – e.g. coppernot immediately obvious. Excessive fertilizer – over fertilization Sodium toxicity – especially from or placing the fertilizer too close to the irrigation water It is also most important to know seed, seedling or plant, causing root High or low temperaturesthe previous history of the specific land damage, especially nitrogen, sometimes(even of adjacent lands: for example, potassium. POOR GROWTHherbicides may drift from one land Herbicide damage – including drift from Drought to another or diseases or insect pests adjacent lands Partial drowning may move to the new crop), because Low temperatures – especially low High temperatures the problem may have originated in a soil temperatures, which restrict root Low temperatures former planting. Investigations into such activity. Wind points as the identity of the previous Pests – for example, red spider mite, Alkaline or saline soil conditions crop, whether it showed similar other mites & aphids. Excessively acid soils symptoms, what cultural practices (e.g. Disease – especially those affecting Toxicities herbicides) were applied and what the foliage Nutrient Deficiencies climatic conditions were like shortly Pests – especially nematodes before the problem appeared, will MATURE LEAVES Diseases – especially root or stem rotsfrequently point to the cause of the Nutrient Deficiencies- Magnesium,problem. nitrogen, phosphorus and potash which ABNORMAL GROWTH may later affect younger leaves as well. Nutrient deficiencies – especially Where the problem is limited to only Toxicities – excess sodium, boron and molybdenum, boron and calcium one portion of the planting, one should chlorides Herbicide damage – especially hormoneconsider poor drainage soil differences, Herbicide damage - Long periods of herbicides possible of poor application of fertilizer cloudy weather Diseases – especially viruses or other factors possibly attributable Brak or salinity problems – soil and/ Pests – especially mite and aphidsto cultural practices or conditions. or irrigation water Where the problem is general over Drought SUDDEN DEATH the entire land, then the possibility of Nematodes Severe brak or saline conditions infected seed, seedlings, past history Root and stem rots Excess fertilizer – especially nitrogen,and unfavorable weather conditions are Foliage diseases sometimes potassium, concentrated inmore likely causes. The solution to the Pests the root zone. problem is not always obvious, but a Sudden, excessive high temperatures thorough investigation should be carried MARKS ON LEAVES Sudden, cold spells, especially frost out to provide possible explanations. Young leaves, margins Lightning strike Drought Herbicide damage Should some action be decided Excessively high temperatures Root and stem diseases upon, such as spraying for a suspected Strong winds Pests – especially root or stem damage,nutrient deficiency, an untreated Chemical spray damage e.g. cutworms and wirewormscontrol strip should be left to see Root and stem rotswhether or not the action taken solves For more information, contact:the problem. This is most important in Mature Leaves, margins Diccon Robinson, Agricultural Businessdrawing correct conclusions, because Drought Solutions. Cell: +268 7602 5482. Email:problems may correct themselves in High temperatures [email protected] with changes in environmental Strong winds conditions. Buildup of salts (brak) in the soil Toxicities – especially boron, sodium and The following points may be ofassistance in finding solutions to theproblem:DISCOLOURATION OF FOLIAGE(USUALLY YELLOWING OF LEAVES)YOUNG LEAVESNutrient Deficiencies – iron, manganese& zinc usually cause a yellow mottle50 agribusinessmonthly.com | MAY 2017
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