Senwes Scenario August/September 2018 | Page 23

AGRICULTURAL FARMING REQUIREMENTS Climate requirements: Low relative humidity and plenty of sunshine. Thrives in drought con- ditions. Irrigation: Needs little water, especially at flowering stage. Irrigation might be necessary three or four times a year if planted in soil that does not retain much moisture. Soil: Well-drained, deep sandy loam soil. Ideally, soil should be able to retain moisture well. Fertilisation: Organic and inorganic fertilisers are required. Supplementing the soil with well-decomposed manure is highly recom- mended. Yield: A ten-year-old date tree yields about fifty to sixty kilograms per year. The number increases with age. Harvesting: Dates will be ready for harvesting six to seven years after planting. SENWES SCENARIO | SPRING 2018 21