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September 2018
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on farm level
Conservation agriculture
Planting is done at different stages, starting in August. The first
maize crop has been harvested and sold as green mealies and they
have now planted the second crop for the season, which can be seen
in
Photo 4
.
As a result of owning large fields, the farmers planted using the two-
row no-till planter in a field of about 1 ha. The two-row planter was
used for the first time in Swayimane and many lessons were learnt,
such as the importance of proper seed plate settings, constant
checking of fertiliser and seed pipes for blockages, working with
friable soils and ensuring the bins are always full (
Photo 5a
and
Photo 5b
).
The results have been impressive in terms of the germination and
growth of the maize, and the farmers were overjoyed because the
planter saved a lot on fertiliser. Spacing was uneven with some
patches in between, which the team will work on in order to improve
it in the upcoming season.
Photo 6a
and
Photo 6b
show maize planted using the two-row
planter. Nxusa had planned to plant cover crops between the maize,
but she ended up planting them in another field as the maize was
already too tall.
The cover crops were planted using the haracca planter. She planted
a mixture of summer and winter cover crops, which will be used as
cattle fodder (
Photo 7
). Above the field where the cover crops were
4: Second crop of SC 701 for the 2017/2018 season.
4
7: Cover crops intercropped with maize in another field. The challenge
was that the spacing was too wide.
7
5a: Planting being carried out by using a two-row planter.
5b: Maize planted using the two-row planter at tasselling stage.
5a
5b
6a: Maize planted using a two-row planter, variety SC 701, on a field
behind Khethiwe.
6b: A closer view of the maize.
6a
6b
Smallholder farming systems