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Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
Farmers have so far harvested 56 000 tonnes of wheat from 7 548 hectares while about 16 535 tonnes of wheat grain have been delivered to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) of which 12 869 tonnes is from ARDA contracted farmers.
About 70 percent of wheat across the country is in good condition while the remaining 30 percent is in a fair condition.
The majority of wheat is at hard dough stage. In his weekly report for last week, Agriculture Rural Development Advisory (ARDAS) acting chief director Mr Leonard Munamati encouraged farmers to guard against quelea birds, and to avail adequate irrigation water to maturity.
He also urged farmers to prepare standard fireguards around wheat fields and farmers are urged to finish harvesting by the end of October to avoid early rains.
Field days and visits for the provision of best agronomic practices are ongoing. The Government has mobilised 300 combine harvesters and driers ready for harvesting.
Farmers contracted under AFC have so far harvested 2 191 tonnes, Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) estates 2 820 tonnes, ARDA irrigation schemes 1 935 tonnes , ARDA joint ventures 8 255 tonnes, CBZ Agro yield 3 575tonnes, FCCA 19 067 tonnes and NMB 988 tonnes.
Under the Presidential Input Programme (PIP) 1 685 tonnes of wheat have been harvested. Mashonaland West province is leading with 22 451 tonnes having been harvested so far followed by Mashonaland Central with 14 899 tonnes.
Mashonaland East has so far harvested 6 750 tonnes, Manicaland 5 296 tonnes, Midlands 4 056 tonnes, Masvingo 472 tonnes, Matabeleland North 512 tonnes and Matabeleland South 1 476 tonnes
Online Reporter