Best Farming Practices (Step-by-Step)

Variety Selection: Choose varieties based on maturity group and rainfall (e.g., Serenade, Solitaire)

• Planting: November–December ideal; spacing 45 cm rows × 7.5–10 cm plants

• Inoculation: Always inoculate seed with rhizobium bacteria for nitrogen fixation

• Fertilization: Apply Compound D (200–250 kg/ha); minimal nitrogen required

• Weed Management: Critical in first 6 weeks; use pre- and post-emergent herbicides

Pest and Disease Management

• Pests: Cutworms, aphids, soybean loopers

• Diseases: Rust, blight

• Use disease-free seed, crop rotation, timely spraying

Provincial Differences

• Best in Mashonaland and parts of Manicaland with good rainfall and neutral pH soils

Markets and Profitability

• High demand from oil processors and poultry feed industry

• Yield: 2–3.5 tonnes/ha

• Price: ~$500–$600/ton

• High profitability when managed well and sold early