Farming School
Guides for Zimbabwe's common crops and livestock — crops from nursery to harvest, piggery, goats and cattle fattening from stocking to sale.
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Crop, livestock and chemical guides are part of the paid Farming School. Enrol to read every stage, the full fertiliser and chemical programme, all key tips, and to download guides and earn a certificate.
View courses & pricingPlanting window
Plant with the first effective rains: mid-Nov to mid-Dec (early Nov in Regions I–II).
Where it does well
Best in Natural Regions I, II and IIa. Use short-season varieties in Regions IV–V.
Spacing & population
90 cm x 25 cm (1 plant/station) ≈ 44 000 plants/ha for dryland; 75 cm rows under irrigation.
Realistic yield
3–6 t/ha smallholder with good management; 8–12 t/ha commercial irrigated.
- 1
Variety selection & seed
Aug – Oct
- Choose maturity to match rainfall: ultra-early/early (SC403, SC529) for Regions IV–V, medium/late (SC649, SC727) for Regions I–II.
- Buy certified seed only — retained hybrid seed loses 20–30% yield.
- Budget 25 kg seed per hectare.
The remaining 6 stages up to harvest is part of the full course
You are reading the free preview. Enrol in a Farming School course to read every stage, the full fertiliser and chemical programme, and to earn a certificate.
See coursesThe other 19 products in this guide is part of the full course
You are reading the free preview. Enrol in a Farming School course to read every stage, the full fertiliser and chemical programme, and to earn a certificate.
See coursesRates and uses are general guidance only. Always follow the label of the product registered in Zimbabwe, confirm with your agronomist or agro-dealer, rotate chemical groups to prevent resistance, and observe pre-harvest intervals and PPE requirements.