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At least 1 300 hectares have been put under wheat so far out of the targeted 120 000 hectares, with 9 000 hectares prepared and ready for planting.
In an interview, acting chief director for Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS) in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mr Leonard Munamati said different companies were working out arrangements for contract farming with farmers with at least 66 000 hectares earmarked for contract farming.
Mr Munamati said joint venture programmes under the Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), which allow farmers to access inputs fast and grow wheat for use under the Strategic Grain Reserve were also going on well, with the selection of suitable farmers in progress and standing at 75 percent.
He said with power outages expected to intensify over the coming few months largely due to the dwindling water levels in Kariba Dam, the department had guaranteed electricity to the wheat farmers by ring-fencing them in clusters.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) was assessing the adequacy of water for the targeted hectarage, he said.
Turning to payments for delivered crops, Mr Munamati assured farmers that they would be paid within seven days unlike in the past when there were some delays.
“While we apologise to the farmers for late payment of wheat grown in 2023, payment shall be done within the next seven days as promised,” he said. — New Ziana.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter