adminZvifadzo Lubombo Herald Correspondent
MOST early planted crops in most parts of the country are ready for harvest beginning of next month, farmers have said.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president Mr Wonder Chabikwa yesterday said that early planted crops, which included soyabeans, maize, cowpeas and groundnuts, were ready for harvest.
“Farmers across the country who planted maize and various small grain crops are expected to start harvesting following a successive season which was characterised by favourable rains unlike the previous years,” he said. “Most farmers are still waiting for their crops to dry up before making final preparations.”
Zimbabwe Women Association Trust president Mrs Depinah Nkomo said they were expecting good yields which would result in the country regaining its breadbasket status in Africa.
“We anticipate a bumper harvest and once again become a net exporter of food,” she said. “This would have a positive bearing on the import bill which should fall dramatically as food security is attained at household and national level, with surplus exported for revenue.”
Goromonzi farmer George Tambwari called on the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to concentrate on finding money to pay farmers promptly.
“We need to build up on this momentum where as farmers we have shown that we are self reliant and prepared to work on the land at whatever cost to produce,” he said. “We urge GMB to play its part by paying farmers on time. This has been a good season for us farmers though the rains came late, but we expect high yields that will boost the food security cluster which is in line with Zim-Asset.”
The positive developments in agriculture are bad news for opponents of the land reform who claimed new farmers could not guarantee food security.
At least 653 366 hectares of maize were planted this season.
Online Reporter