The Zimbabwean government has urged farmers to utilize the current rains by planting root and tuber crops such as sweet potatoes and cassava before the end of the month. An Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (AGRITEX) farmer advisory bulletin released at the weekend has encouraged farmers to tap into commercial production of sweet potatoes and cassava.
The government is distributing virus free sweet potato vines to smallholder farmers through the Horticulture Recovery Plan and farmers are advised to preserve their own planting material off season. The variety to grow depends on the length of the growing period, yield potential and preference of intended market. The improved high yielding white fleshed sweet potato varieties available in Zimbabwe are Brontal, Cordner, Chingovha and German 2. The recommended orange fleshed sweet varieties are Alisha, Victoria, Delvia, Namanga, Irene and Sumaia.
Source: herald.co.zw
