AREX RESEARCH STATIONS
NYANGA EXPERIMENT STATION
Chisumbanji Experiment Station
Our mandate
To carry out research and develop technologies suitable and addressing deciduous fruits, vegetables, flowers and upland agriculture production problems.
The Nyanga Experiment station is within the Horticulture
research institute. For years focus of the country has been on
maize as our staple food. Thus for food security, maize production was promoted.
However, this resulted in production even in marginal areas. It could be argued
that maize production in Zimbabwe is nearing the sealing and alternative food
sources are required if food security is to be achieved. It is through this line
of thinking that potato has bean ear-marked as a strategic crop, alongside small
grains.
PRESENT STATUS OF CROPS PRODUCTION
Weather conditions at Nyanga
Experiment Station
Nyanga
experiment station is a research station situated at an altitude of about 1878m
above sea level. The highest relief is 2100m, at Inyangani Mountains.
Figure.1. Weather conditions at Nyanga
Experiment station
Our main rain
period is from October to April, producing about 1523mm. Maximum and minimum
temperatures are 21oC and 10oC respectively. Generally ground temperature is low
(6.11oC) throughout the year, which explains the cold weather in Nyanga.
Orographic fog is the main feature of the post main rains and winter period,
bring in the rains experienced during those periods. Radiation fog is mostly
experienced during post rain season. These weather conditions define the crops
and the crop practices that can be done in a particular season.
Seed potato production at Nyanga Experiment station
NES produces about 3-6 tonnes of virus free seed potato for the nation. It is the only station mandated with seed potato production due to its altitude. The seed is released to seed producers in the quarantine area, who intern multiply the seed for handover to other seed-producing farmers. Seed producers obtain average yields of 24 tonnes per hectare.
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