Register wheat projections, Agritex urges farmers

preparations for the winter cropping season commence.
Government will use this information to adequately plan for the season.
Farmers should register their expected cropping area at their nearest Agritex offices.
Speaking at a Pioneer Hi-Bred national seed grower of the year field day at Panashe Farm in Mazowe last week, Mashonaland Central Agritex officer Mr Stancilae Tapererwa said farmers’ projections were essential for planning.
“We are currently mobilising funding for wheat and these projections will help us know how many farmers will be growing the crop, their needs and how we can best assist them,” he said.
Mr Tapererwa said the information would be useful to other institutions that offer services to farmers.
“Zesa Holdings will be able to know how much electricity will be required by wheat growers and the areas they can exempt from constant power cuts.
“Zinwa will also be able to know the amount of water a wheat grower will be using during the season and there will not be cases of ‘wrong billing or high bills’ when one has a small hectarage of the crop.”
This year, 30 000 hectares are expected to be put under wheat, an increase from last year’s 14 000ha.
Zimbabwe needs about 400 000 tonnes of wheat per year.
In 2010, only 21 000 tonnes were produced representing less than 10 percent of annual requirements, thou-gh the country has historically been a net importer with best yields rea-ching 150 000 tonnes over a decade ago. The Agricultural Marketing Authority intends to facilitate production of 15 000ha of wheat this season.