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Sydney Mubaiwa in Zaka
Communal farmers here have been urged to have their soils tested to ascertain the level of acidity and alkalinity before planting or applying fertilisers.

Addressing farmers in Zaka recently, Zaka District Agritex officer Mr Esau Mutuzungari said communal farmers could only improve their yields if they took their soils for testing since most of them had gone for many years without examining their soil.

“Research has shown that in some parts of the district, there is high level of acidity and as such, there is need to undertake soil tests,” he said.

“Continued use of fertilisers leads to acidity of the soil. Some farmers go on using fertilisers with a low pH which can only lead to more soil acidity rather than improving soil fertility.”

Mr Mutuzungari said it was necessary for small scale farmers to know the fertility rates of their soils to make better decisions on fertiliser application and type of crop to grow.

He urged the farmers to take soil samples for testing at agricultural research institutions.

“Zimbabwe has a great agricultural potential with very active farmers growing different crop types,” he said. “Now, for fully production to be reached, it is important that they undergo a soil testing exercise.”

Reduced soil fertility is a major factor contributing to low harvests in areas which are considered to be high agricultural production areas.