Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo in MAPHISA
ANTELOPE Irrigation Scheme in Maphisa, Matabeleland South Province, is set for a bumper winter wheat harvest this year with projections estimating a yield of about 4 600 tonnes up from 3 200 tonnes from the last harvest, realising about US$2 million.
The irrigation scheme is owned by the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda), which has been leased to Southern Growers.
Harvesting for the initial 350 hectors started on Monday, according to the chief executive officer, Mr Deane Leroux.
“By the time we finish the first phase, I am sure the other crop will be ready for harvesting. So, we are not going to stop,” he said.
The projections indicate the scheme would realise about 7,8 tonnes per hectare, which according to Mr Leroux, is way above what they initially expected.
“We are extremely excited, not only about the bumper harvest, which is all but imminent but even by the quality and price of the crop,” he said.
Mr Leroux said triple premium wheat is going for $440 per tonne while premium grade is at US$430 per tonne.
He hailed other Government agencies especially the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) and Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) for their constant and none interrupted supply of electricity and water.
“I want to honestly give a pat in the back to Zesa and Zinwa. We never had any interruption in the supply of both electricity and water, something, which we believe contributed to this wonderful harvest,” said Mr Leroux.
Southern Growers is also running Ingwizi Irrigation Scheme in the same province where 550 hectares was planted, meaning the two schemes alone contributed 1 150 hectares of wheat of the province’s 3 648 hectares, according to the provincial Agritex officer Mr Bheki Ncube.
“We have witnessed the first harvest of the winter crop here at Antelope and as a department we are so excited by what we are seeing, more so the yield figures, which is 7.8 tonnes (per hectare) and this may go up because these figures are only in the first 45 hectares that have been harvested,” said Mr Ncube.
He said according to their initially targeted figures (six tonnes per hectare), what was now emerging was that of a clear bumper harvest.
Antelope Irrigation Scheme’s success story resonates well with the Government’s target of 600 000 tonnes of wheat this season, which would represent the highest production since the crop’s introduction in 1966.
This target surpasses the ordinary national consumption of 360 000 tonnes, although this is now growing as more wheat products are entering the market with the now normal surpluses achieved under the Second Republic.
As part of its strategic plan for 2025, the Government aims to build on the successes of the 2024 Wheat-Based Food Security initiative, which resulted in 119 954 hectares cultivated and a harvest of 562 591 tonnes, with Zimbabweans now starting to eat more wheat-based foods.
Officials emphasise the importance of improving sustainable agricultural practices to enhance food security during the winter season.
The Wheat-Based Food Security Strategy aims not only to meet national demand but also to generate a surplus for export and establish a strategic reserve of 250 000 tonnes, as approved by the Cabinet.
To maximise output, the Government is implementing training programmes for over 22 000 farmers across 272 irrigation schemes, aiming to equip farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to optimise their production.
On the marketing front, the Grain Marketing Board will purchase all wheat financed under the Presidential Input Programme. Self-financed farmers are encouraged to seek the best market prices for their harvests.
