Farmers sceptical about liquid fertilizer

Unlike the commonly used solid compound fertilizer, the liquid type does not depend on high rainfall and is readily absorbed into the crop.

“Given the current unpredictable climatic changes, farmers should safeguard themselves against uncertainties caused by erratic rains by switching over to the liquid fertilizer,” said ZCFU president, Donald Khumalo.

But new farmers and rural communities are sceptic about the effectiveness and possible side effects of the liquid fertilizer hence the relative low use of the product. “It is encouraging to note that farmers are slowly accepting the fertilizer as an alternative,” said Khumalo.

Out of ignorance, some farmers have been using any available liquid fertilizer as a substitute for traditional compounds, without consulting experts. Some turned to Nufrifos liquid fertilizer, not realising that it is only a soil nutrient booster.

Commercial Farmers Union President Charles Taffs said liquid fertilizers such as Nufrifos do not work on their own. “These liquid fertilizers are only soil nutrient boosters. They work in conjunction with solid compounds and top dressings. They are sprayed onto plant leaves,” he explained.

An official with a local fertilizer manufacturing company, PROFERT Zimbabwe, said liquid fertilizers do not work on their own. “Without a first application of solid compounds, liquid fertilizer such as Nufrifos is of no use to the crop at all. It simply does not work on its own,” said the official who did not want to be named.

DI Grow fertilizer is of Chinese origin and currently undergoing user trials. According to Khumalo, it is cheaper and cost effective. “It was designed to cut labour costs and reduce dependency on rainfall,” he said.

One litre of the liquid fertilizer costs an average of $6 and is enough for one hectare of crops. One litre of the liquid is diluted with 52 litres of water. Seed is soaked in the fertilizer for some eight hours before being sown. Immediately after sowing the land is sprayed with the fertilizer.

“Spraying is repeated a week later and again after 10 days. After 45 days DI Grow Red is sprayed to boost crop productivity,” said an expert. The same hectarage would require seven 50 kg bags of solid compound D and four 50 kg bags of top dressing. Each bag costs no less than $35.

Rural farmers in Chief Svosve area confirmed the improved use of liquid fertilizer this farming season as a result of poor rains and prohibitive costs of the solid compounds.

“After realising that the 2012-2013 farming season would have poor rains, we turned to liquid fertilizer and have not regretted it as it has proved both reliable and cost effective,” said a communal farmer, Mbuya Njerima of Mupazviriwo village.

Farmers’ Unions have urged farmers to consult farming experts on the correct liquid fertilizer to use before applying it. – Next week our Farming Tips page will provide expert advice on the use of liquid fertilizers.