Agriculture

Are current fertiliser recommendations and trial conditions relevant to smallholder maize farmers?

By Staff Writer / March 16, 2026 /

As the Agricultural Research Trust (ART) prepares to host a Varieties Demo Open Day this Thursday at its research farm in ART Farm near Harare, an important discussion has emerged…

Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks raise regional alarm across Southern Africa

By Staff Writer / March 9, 2026 /

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), one of the world’s most contagious livestock diseases, is threatening cattle industries and rural livelihoods across Southern Africa after confirmed outbreaks in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries triggered…

TIMB sets stage for 2026 tobacco marketing season amid record output, global market pressures

By Staff Writer / March 2, 2026 /

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) says Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector is entering the 2026 marketing season on a strong but strategically cautious footing, with record production expected, structural reforms…

The Seven Francs book launch

By Staff Writer / February 23, 2026 /

The past week marked the informal launch of Kevin Cooke’s newly published book, The Seven Francs: Shotguns, Gamebirds & Gundogs. Harare South tobacco farmer and former Zimbabwe Tobacco Association president…

Regenerative vs conventional cropping: What three years of trials reveal

By Staff Writer / February 13, 2026 /

By Hugo Winkfield, ART Farm As Zimbabwe’s commercial agriculture sector seeks to remain both profitable and sustainable, regenerative agriculture has emerged as a potential pathway forward. But can regenerative systems…

More than a bottom feeder: Understanding and eating Zimbabwe’s catfish

By Staff Writer / February 9, 2026 /

by Ross G. Cooper, D.Phil. Catfish species in Zimbabwe There are 23 species of catfish in Zimbabwe. They are carnivorous and scavenge fish and are characterised by scaleless bodies and…

Turning heat into opportunity

By Staff Writer / February 1, 2026 /

The Grounded chilli story “I initially got into chilli farming through an export opportunity after securing an off-taker contract with a local middleman. But the prices were not sustainable, so…

Rainy season alert: Internal parasites (worms) in goats and sheep

By Staff Writer / January 26, 2026 /

This small stock management advisory is kindly shared by Bulembe Farm, Matabeleland. Feature photo credit to Klipspringer Ranch. The rainy season creates ideal conditions for internal parasites (worms). If not…

Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector record expansion signals new era of growth

By Staff Writer / January 19, 2026 /

Zimbabwe’s 2025/26 tobacco growing season has opened on a highly positive note, marked by significant expansion in planted hectarage, increased participation by women and small-scale farmers, and renewed confidence across…

Form follows function

By Staff Writer / January 12, 2026 /

The philosophy of purpose over aesthetics George Hulme of Pungeni Nkone stud speaks with the clarity of someone who has spent decades observing cattle navigate the unforgiving landscape of Zimbabwe.…