Agriculture

Zimbabwe Herd Book announces exciting small stock addition to upcoming Beef School

By Staff Writer / September 9, 2025 /

From September 16-18, the Zimbabwe Herd Book (ZHB) will host its annual Beef School in Bulawayo. The choice of Bulawayo as the venue reflects the city’s central role in Zimbabwe’s…

Dirk Odendaal receives CFU Farming Oscar Award 2025

By Staff Writer / September 1, 2025 /

The Commercial Farmers’ Union has announced Dirk Odendaal as the recipient of the 2025 Farming Oscar Award, recognising his outstanding service to Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector spanning over four decades. The…

Growing chilli

By Staff Writer / August 25, 2025 /

By Ross G. Cooper Capsicum (chilli) is normally sown in rows in September-December in Zimbabwe and takes 7-12 days to germinate and 16-17 weeks to reach crop maturity. The return…

Aquaponics shows promise for African agriculture

By Staff Writer / August 18, 2025 /

Africa faces mounting food security challenges, and innovative agricultural solutions are becoming increasingly necessary. One technology gaining attention is aquaponics, a system that combines fish farming with crop production. Martin…

Brahmans maintain dominance as Zimbabwe’s breed of choice

By Staff Writer / August 11, 2025 /

Zimbabwe’s cattlemen continue to show their preference for Brahman cattle, as demonstrated at the 57th National Breed Sale that concluded in late July. The numbers tell the story of the…

Apodemus sylvaticus, a potential threat to seed crops

By Staff Writer / August 8, 2025 /

Ross G. Cooper, D.Phil. The wood mouse (A. sylvaticus, Family: Muridae, Order: Rodentia), a common sighting in North-West Africa and Europe, is, like most rodents, often associated with post-harvest threats…

Soil-less farming using hydroponics for fresh produce

By Staff Writer / August 4, 2025 /

With the pressure to produce more food with less available inputs such as land or water, an enterprising small business in Marondera is growing vegetables using hydroponics, a revolutionary farming…

Zimbabwe dairy legend Christopher “Stoff” Hawgood receives 2025 ZADF Oscar award

By Staff Writer / July 28, 2025 /

The Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) has honoured Stoff Hawgood with the prestigious 2025 Dairy Oscar Award for his exceptional contribution to Zimbabwe’s dairy industry. The award was presented…

Farming through Zimbabwe’s transformation: A 35-year journey

By Staff Writer / July 22, 2025 /

Reflections on agriculture, resilience, and the evolving landscape of Zimbabwean farming My name is Stuart Tippett, and I farm in Marondera North. Over the past 35 years, I’ve witnessed Zimbabwe’s…

57th National Breed Sale set to showcase industry resilience

By Staff Writer / July 14, 2025 /

The Zimbabwe Herd Book’s 57th National Breed Sale is set to take place on Friday 25 July. This much-anticipated annual fixture on our agricultural calendar will demonstrate the livestock sector’s…