Greenfields Prepares for August Maize Planting

Greenfields market garden members, in the sprawling Emganwini Township in Bulawayo’s south-west, have started preparing their land for the upcoming August maize planting season as part of efforts to maximise production and improve household food security.

The farmers are conducting the land preparation in July by turning the soil and applying organic matter and manure to ensure the fields are ready for planting at the start of the upcoming season.

More specifically, members have begun turning and ploughing their fields ahead of the August maize planting season, demonstrating their commitment to timely agricultural production.

Equipped with irrigation, farmers can capitalise on shortages in the fresh vegetable market and grow “green mealies” to be eaten off the cob which is picked at the milk or early dough stage before the grains turn hard and dry.

This is months before dryland crops are ready for harvest thereby justifying a higher price on the produce. Clearing of crop residues, loosening the soil, and applying organic manure to improve soil fertility, ensures the land is now ready for planting.

The early land preparation is expected to support better crop establishment, increase productivity and strengthen household food security while generating additional income through commercial green mealies maize production.