Today’s topic on radio program: SRP & GAP for cereals (Land Preparation, Plant Population, Soil Management, & agrochemicals handling)
by Bagarmi Zuwathauwama Director Extension
Services Adamawa ADP
As part of the preparation for farming activities, especially now that Adamawa is about to enter the rainy season, the discussant talked about the need to know:
1. The history of the land to determine what crop to plant on the land due to some soil diseases that can affect certain crops in terms of growth and yield. Tractors that can plow deep should not be used due to the nature of our land here in the state because it will tilt deep and wash away the fertile topsoil. Instead, a harrowing tractor should be used. If it is not virgin land, use the right insecticides. For the grasses and treatment of the soil diseases before plantations. Also, apply manure to make the soil fertile before planting seedlings, because chemical fertilizer like NPK has only three ingredients.
2. The seeds to be planted should be developed and treated seedlings that can be bought, not the ones selected from the previous harvest as that has been the practice for ages, for good yield. Crops like maize should not be planted where is waterlogged or fadama like rice that can breathe even inside water.
First rain is not for farming that will enter the soil especially here in Adamawa state that the rainy season starts from June, so that if you plant the seed, then it can easily germinate.
3. When planting, give space in between and apply fertilizer not spreading it, otherwise, the breeze will take away the nutrients as is only the biding material that will be dropping.
4. About insecticides, there are prep planting insecticides that are for burning grasses which are either contact or systemic. Contact burns what it touches only; Gramazole, paraquat, and bush fire are examples of contact. While systemic burns are not necessarily what it touches which is better and after its application, it should not be matched upon. These insecticides are the ones for burning grass and planting seeds.
For precautions, use clean water and use a sprayer that can spray the insecticides selectively. When applying these chemicals use hand gloves, rain buds, and other protective equipment.
Farmers can visit ADP and OXFAM extension officers for more knowledge of the right quality of these materials for a better harvest and make a living
