tawandamusarurwa
Business Reporter
THE Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) this year plans to produce more than 100 000 tonnes of wheat from 20 000 hectares, helping complement Government’s efforts to have another record harvest.
Last year, it managed to put 14 000ha under the cereal.
ARDA chief executive officer Mr Tinotenda Mhiko said they were pushing Government’s “vision of more irrigable land”.
The parastatal adopted several strategies targeting irrigation schemes, estates and joint venture arrangements with farmers who have irrigable land.
An additional 834ha of irrigable land have also been unlocked following the commissioning of five more irrigation schemes in Matabeleland North, Masvingo and Midlands provinces.
“We commissioned additional five irrigation schemes using the Whole-of-Government approach, which unlocked an additional irrigable 834 hectares in irrigation schemes across Mat North, Masvingo and Midlands provinces. This is an additional combined tonnage of grain of about 8 340 tonnes,” said Mr Mhiko.
The success of the winter wheat season will be underpinned by reliable irrigation systems, mechanisation and adequate power supplies.
“As the nation gears towards food self-sufficiency by the year 2030, reliable irrigation systems, adequate mechanisation, sufficient power supplies, cheap funding models and increased out-grower schemes are also expected to anchor this year’s winter wheat production for Zimbabwe,” he said.
After producing a record 375 000 tonnes of wheat last year, Zimbabwe plans to further increase output of the cereal.
Overall, Government intends to put wheat on 85 000ha, representing an improvement from 78 063ha last year.
The envisaged hectarage is expected to produce 408 000 tonnes, which are more than the local demand that stands at 360 000 tonnes.
Banks such as AFC and CBZ are already finalising loans to farmers, while the private sector is also actively involved,
Agronomist Mr Anderson Magura said adequate resources are critical to increasing output.
“Value chains in the form of self-sufficiency, affordable pricing systems for related products and continuous reduction in the import bill are some of the key benefits that will accrue on the back of sufficient support from banks and the private sector as the nation seeks to consolidate gains emanating from last year’s record output,” said Mr Magura.
CBZ started disbursing inputs for the winter wheat cropping season in March.
Online Reporter