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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 80769, member: 636"] This season's planting numbers are way up from last year. Farmers have already put crops on over two point four million hectares according to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. Permanent Secretary Obert Jiri said the government is pushing for total food security, aiming to have one hundred percent of maize and sorghum planted soon. The Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services reports maize planting at eighty-four percent of its one point eight million hectare goal. Sorghum reached eighty-seven percent. Other major crops include pearl millet, cotton, soybean, and sunflower. Officials cite good rains for the positive crop and livestock conditions nationwide. Despite the progress, there are some concerns with all this rain. Experts warn about possible leaching and waterlogging in certain areas, which can wash away fertilizers and hurt yields. Farmers are advised to use drainage methods and apply inputs carefully. Surveillance is ongoing for migratory pests like fall armyworm, with some moth catches reported in Manicaland. Farmers' unions, represented by figures like Shadreck Makombe and Depinah Nkomo, acknowledge the benefits but urge caution regarding nutrient loss and increased livestock disease risk. They recommend more frequent dipping to counter tick-borne illnesses. The overall outlook remains promising. National dam levels have risen to seventy three point six percent, supporting irrigation. The Pfumvudza conservation program prepared nearly a million hectares. Tobacco planting is also higher than last season. Authorities maintain that continued monitoring, coupled with current water and pasture abundance, sets the stage for a strong harvest that could boost both food security and rural incomes. [/QUOTE]

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