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Mash Central Correspondent
A MAZOWE North farmer, Cde Maidei Maswi, who is also Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central political liaison officer, last week lost 30 hectares of wheat that was ready for harvest to a veld fire. Cde Maswi of Earling Farm, Lot No. 15, said she was expecting a yield of at least 210 tonnes of wheat from the destroyed crop.
They are still to establish the cause of the fire.
“I can confirm that 30 hectares of my wheat, which I planted under Command Agriculture, was destroyed by an uncontrollable fire last week,” said Cde Maswi.
“The crop was ready for harvesting and our combine harvesters were about to begin work in the fields.
“We were expecting a yield of about seven tonnes per hectare, meaning for the 30ha we were looking at harvesting 210 tonnes.
‘Unfortunately, we had not insured our wheat since we had been advised that under Command Agriculture insurance is also covered.”
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and and Rural Resettlement Cde Douglas Karoro said the unfortunate incident happened at a time when Government was trying to secure adequate wheat in the country.
“That is very unfortunate and sad news to our ministry and to the farmer,” he said.
“The incident happened at a time when Government is looking at ways of increasing wheat yields on farms.
“Government will work tirelessly to bring to book all those who deliberately start veld fires.”
Online Reporter