Subsequent to the ending of the normal planting time which started during the middle of October last year until the middle of January this year, it is time for crop farmers to reap what they sowed as the harvesting of summer grain crops which include maize, sunflower and sorghum is now under way.
As Mr Enoch Lephoi, a Crop specialist in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development based at Mafikeng Local Development Centre explains, for grain crops planted during normal planting time, harvesting begins in March preceding the year of planting and under typical circumstances, it is usually the green mealies that is the first to be harvested considering that the kernels will still be moist.
This type of maize is mostly enjoyed for home consumption although some are sold at public markets.
"Depending on the prevailing weather conditions, which dictate the harvesting time" Lephoi adds, "the harvesting of dry kernels which affects large scale harvesting will only happen at the end of June and based on the size of the maize field, this is carried out either manually or mechanically".
"And by the way the rains that went on until the beginning of this winter season, will to some extent affect the production yield this season," cautions Lephoi.
During manual harvesting, farmers usually engage casual labourers to hand pick maize cobs and thrash them to separate kernels from the cobs and this takes place in crop fields of less than 10 hectors. Whereas in mechanical harvesting, farming equipment such as harvesters are utilised in cop fields of up to 200 hectors.
“For the entire duration of large scale harvesting mostly which is mainly mechanical, a lot of movement will happen between farms and milling plants where tractors, trailers and trucks are on site to transport grains to silos where they are stored as to reach certain moisture content as required”.
Lephoi says that from the silos the destination will then be the cooperatives where the grains will be inspected for impurities and graded. Ultimate processing and value adding will then take place where maize will be grounded to samp, maize rice, maize meal and other maize products for consumption.
After harvesting, subsistence farmers usually exchange their grains for maize meal and use the remainder for domestic consumption. They will also use the grains for the coming planting season.
In warning North West roads users, the MEC for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Boitumelo Tshwene says during peak harvesting periods, our roads normally experience an increased traffic volume of slow moving tractors pulling trailers, trucks as well as large farming equipment comprising of harvesters and huge combined harvesters.
MEC Tshwene therefore urges motorists to be patient and drive with care as there is great likelihood that they will be sharing the use of roads in the province with the slow moving farm implements.
Enquiries:
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 389 5719
Cell: 082 901 2435
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
Harvesting of summer grain crops is now on
Province
