Tests in Norway lab reveal acidity affecting soil fertility
A soil acidity test
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He added that this year’s yields were expected to increase after a cultivation of 310ha out of which a harvest of 1,320 tons was harvested.
Songwe. It has emerged that soils in southern highlands regions have been overwhelmed by acid to the extent that crop production has been adversely affected in Songwe Region.
Meru Company seed production expert Robert Hamisi disclosed this to the minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Charles Tizeba, who visited a seed farm at Magamba in Mbozi District in the region yesterday.
The expert gave the example of a 20-hectare farm, whose production was 2.5 tons, a situation that alarmed them, forcing tham to seek advice from Yara Company experts, who went to the farm and took soil samples for a lab testing in Norway.
According to Mr Hamisi, after getting results from the tests, they were advised on the kind of fertilisers to apply on the affected areas so that the soil fertility could be restored.
He added that this year’s yields were expected to increase after a cultivation of 310ha out of which a harvest of 1,320 tons was harvested.
Dr Tizeba told soil experts to advise farmers on the best ways to improve their farming and garner higher yields.
Songwe Regional Commissioner Chiku Galawa wanted the seed farm centre at Magamba to be more creative to enable small farmers to learn various seed production techniques.
She said farmers were potentially capable but they were impeded by various challenges that could be addressed if experts intervened.
Earlier, in his report, agricultural seed agency executive director Firmin Mizambwa said their agency was facing various challenges including lack of electricity from the national grid.
