Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
FARMERS have made significant progress this winter season, planting over 93 000 hectares of wheat as part of efforts to enhance food security.
The target for this season is 120 000 hectares, with an expected yield of over 600 000 tonnes of wheat.
To support these efforts, the planting window has been extended to June 15.
Statistics indicate that the Agriculture and Rural Development Advisory Service (ARDAS) has contracted 53 640ha out of a targeted 60 000ha, with 43 782ha already planted.
This progress suggests that the previous season’s record harvest of 465 000 tonnes from 91 000ha will likely be exceeded.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Professor Obert Jiri, has urged farmers to wrap up planting by June 15.
He applauded the hard work of extension workers and farmers, emphasising that good agronomic practices should be implemented to ensure that the target is met.
Prof Jiri noted that there are no major challenges related to power outages and confirmed that Zinwa is supplying sufficient water. Farmers are encouraged to approach their agricultural extension workers for support in wheat growing and agronomic practices.
To further bolster these initiatives, Government has prepared national dams to effectively support over 120 000ha of wheat and other crops.
Additionally, banks and agricultural contractors are focusing on ensuring adequate electricity supply, establishing heat production clusters to facilitate irrigation.
A seed requirement of 15 000 tonnes has been identified to support the planned 120 000ha of wheat. In an effort to maximise output, Government is implementing training programmes for over 22 000 farmers across 272 irrigation schemes.
These programmes aim to equip farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to optimise their production.
On the marketing front, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) will purchase all wheat financed under the Presidential Input Programme, while self-financed farmers are encouraged to seek the best market prices.
Furthermore, to enhance efficiency, surveillance of Quelea bird roosting sites is underway, with chemicals available to manage potential threats to crops.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union, operations director Dr Prince Kuipa, highlighted the benefits of early planting.
“Early planting will maximise use of the winter window and enable the crop to be harvested before the onset of the rainy season,”he said.
This year’s wheat crop is supported through private contractors, Government’s National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), the Presidential Wheat Support Scheme, and self-financed growers.
Over the past three seasons, Zimbabwe, along with Ethiopia, has achieved wheat self-sufficiency, producing a surplus last season after reaching its first-ever self-sufficiency in 2022.
Concerted efforts by farmers, supported by Government and agricultural bodies, aim to ensure a successful wheat harvest this season, building on the strides made in recent years towards self-sufficiency in wheat production.
dyton mupawaenda