• Season: Winter crop (April–May sowing)

• Land Preparation: Well-drained soils, firm fine tilth

• Seed Rate & Spacing: 100–120 kg/ha; 20 cm between rows

• Fertilization: Compound D at 300 kg/ha; split AN applications

• Irrigation: Requires 6–8 irrigation cycles; avoid waterlogging

Pest and Disease Management

• Pests: Aphids, leaf miners

• Diseases: Net blotch, scald

• Use resistant cultivars and timely fungicide application

Provincial Differences

• Mainly grown under irrigation in Mashonaland Central and West

• Contract-based production linked to brewing industry

Markets and Profitability

• Contract farming through Delta Beverages

• Yield: 4–6 tonnes/ha

• Price: ~$400–$450/ton under contract

• High profitability due to secure markets and quality premiums

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

• Season: Winter crop; planting from late April to June
• Land Prep: Fine, firm seedbed with proper drainage
• Seed Rate & Spacing: 100–120 kg/ha; spacing of 20 cm between rows
• Fertilization: Basal Compound D (300–350 kg/ha), top-dress with AN twice
• Irrigation: Wheat needs consistent watering every 7–10 days

Pest and Disease Management

• Common: Aphids, armyworms, rust (brown, yellow), Septoria
• Preventive fungicide application and proper crop spacing

Provincial Differences

• Primarily grown under irrigation in Mashonaland and Midlands; unirrigated wheat discouraged

Markets and Profitability

• National demand high due to bread and pasta industries
• Contract farming with millers common
• Yield: 5–7 tonnes/ha under irrigation
• Price: ~$420–$480/ton
• Moderate profit under intensive management

• Variety Selection: Use high-yielding, disease-resistant hybrids (e.g., CRI varieties
• Land Preparation: Deep plough and rip; prepare flat seedbed.
• Planting: Optimal time is October–November; spacing 90 cm rows × 30 cm with
• Fertilization: Apply Compound L (200–250 kg/ha), top dress with AN at squaring
• Weed Control: Manual and chemical control important in early stages.
  

Pest and Disease Management

• Major pests: Aphids, bollworms, red spider mites
• Diseases: Bacterial blight, Alternaria leaf spot
• Apply IPM using scouting, biological predators, resistant varieties, and selective
  

Provincial Differences

• Gokwe, Sanyati, Muzarabani, Chiredzi are dominant cotton regions due to warm
  

Markets and Profitability

• Local buyers: Cottco, Alliance Ginneries
• Global demand: Textiles in Asia and Europe
• Yield: 1–2 tonnes/ha
• Cotton lint price: ~$0.90–$1.20/kg
• Profitability depends on pest control and grading

• Variety Selection & Land Prep: Use certified seeds suited to agro-ecological region (e.g., SC513, ZAP61). Deep plough and level land before planting.
• Planting: Optimal window is November–December. Use 75 cm between rows and 25 cm between plants. Target ~55,000 plants/ha.
• Fertilization: Apply Compound D (200–300 kg/ha) at planting and top-dress with Ammonium Nitrate (AN) at knee-height and tasseling stages.
• Weed Control: Pre-emergent herbicides (e.g., atrazine) or early
• Irrigation: Maize requires 500–800 mm rainfall; supplement

Pest and Disease Management

• Early: Maize streak virus, Fall army worm.
• Mid-late: Stalk borer, Grey leaf spot.

Provincial Differences

• High rainfall areas (Mashonaland provinces): Early planting, long-maturing varieties.
• Low rainfall areas (Matabeleland): Drought-tolerant short-season hybrids.

Markets and Profitability

• Local market: GMB floor price ~$376/ton
• Regional export potential: Zambia, Mozambique
• Average yield: 3–5 tonnes/ha smallholder; 7–9 tonnes/ha commercial
• Profit margin: Moderate to high depending on rainfall and input cost management