CAB129-37 — Page 166

Page 166

150. Briefly, the objectives were to select, to clear, to prepare, to protect against soil deterioration and erosion, and to plant as much suitable acreage as possible in Kongwa and Urambo, and to survey and experiment in the Southern Province.

151. During the year the Corporation set a target for planting for 1948-49 of 50,000 acres. As shown in paras. 90, 98 and 125 (b) a total of 49,620 acres was in fact sown to crops, distributed as follows:-

Kongwa Urambo

...

Southern Province

46,267

2,789

564

152. The indications at Kongwa and Urambo were that heavy disc ploughs were the most satisfactory of the implements used for root-cutting. During the year no adequate experience in root-cutting had been gained in the Southern Province.

153. In comparison with the overall standard shown at Kongwa in the season 1947-48, there was in 1948-49 a considerable increase in the efficiency of agricultural operations. At Urambo the standard was fair, while in the Southern Province it was lower.

154. At this early stage in the agricultural operations it was impossible to lay down, on any scientific basis, a final rotational policy and practice. Local observations and collateral experience gained from similar conditions elsewhere in Africa, however, were called upon. For purposes of planning, a rotation based on Groundnuts and Sunflower, with a grass resting period, has been assumed. Time and local experience within each of the Regions alone will be able to decide the details of the final policy.

155. General observations on soil fertility made by the Scientific Depart- ment suggest that certain of the soils at Kongwa are probably the most satisfactory in the three Regions, so far as nutrients are concerned. Less fertile conditions are known to occur in the Urambo Region, the Southern Province being probably intermediate.

156. The compaction and abrasiveness of the Upland Red and Pallid soils at Kongwa (para. 85) are serious factors not met with in either of the other Regions. So serious are these conditions at Kongwa, on these soil types, that they have set a heavy handicap on the efficiency and economic working of equipment and cause rapid wearing away of moving parts in the dry season. In the rainy season, the compaction and abrasion are negligible.

Pests and Diseases

157. At Kongwa-doubtless due to the less humid conditions-there has been an encouraging freedom from Rosette disease in groundnut plants, but at Urambo the small acreage established this year was severely attacked, particularly when planted late. In the Southern Province, Rosette disease has not yet proved a problem. It may well appear in the future.

158. Calidea dregei, a Pentatonid Stainer", the so-called "Blue-Bug followed up its history of attack on small-scale planting of sorghum at Kongwa and Urambo in 1947-48, by a really heavy infestation of sunflower in these two regions this year. While a heavy toll is taken of young sorghum grain in the "milk” stage, it is not yet clear how severe the effect is on sun- flower. At Kongwa the effect was slight but at Urambo there was some retarding effect gu fed development.

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