Online Reporter
Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
Government agencies, including the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) and farmers are geared up to meet the target of 35 000 hectares under wheat set for Mashonaland West province, with major focus on increasing the average yield per hectare.
To date, about 31 000ha have been registered for the winter wheat crop with more farmers coming forward to register.
At least 16 500, about half of the provincial target, will be covered under ARDA financing and support.
Setting the tone, Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo implored farmers to meet the May 15 planting deadline to optimise yields.
“We have target of 35 000ha of wheat and we know that our farmers can easily surpass that target by sticking to the given timelines for planting,” said Minister Chombo.
She urged farmers who are yet to remove the summer crop to approach Agritex for help with combine harvesters to expedite clearing of fields for the winter wheat crop.
She said there were several driers in the province to manage moisture content.
“Experts emphasise that the winter crop be planted by May 15 so that it will not be affected by the early rains in October,” she said.
Government has several programmes to assist farmers with inputs, including the Presidential Winter Wheat Programme , ARDA Joint Ventures to assist small and medium scale farmers and the Presidential Irrigation Scheme.
SGR 200ha+ Club chairman Mr Tichaona Mapfoche urged farmers to take advantage of Government support programmes.
He said farmers had already started receiving inputs and funding for the winter wheat crop.
He hailed the hosting of pre-planting meetings for helping farmers fine-tune their preparations and align with Government plans for the season.
“As farmers we are fully committed to help meet Government’s targets in the National Development Strategy (NDS2) and Vision 2030 for an empowered Upper Middle Income society by 2030,” he said.
“Our goals are aligned to making sure President Mnangagwa’s vision is met through our hard work.”
ARDA national field services manager Mr Forbes Mawodzwa said ARDA was on course to meet this year’s revised target of 16 500ha to be contracted for wheat in Mashonaland West province.
At least 13 835ha (83 percent) has been contracted so far with the remaining 3 000ha expected to be covered by the end of this week.
“We have all the inputs for the 16500ha already delivered and ready for collection by farmers. Some farmers have already collected their inputs,” said Mr Mawodzwa.
“Some farmers have planted and the wheat is at germination stage. Others are still harvesting the summer crop.
“As ARDA we are 100 percent geared and we are ready to fulfil our role of building the country’s strategic grain reserve.”
