Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE Government has advised farmers who continue to receive rains in their areas to start planting, while those that have not received rains should first consult Agritex officers before embarking on any major activity.
This comes after some parts of the country started receiving rains last week, while others experienced some isolated showers. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri last Wednesday said the early rains being experienced were suitable for planting.
“The rains that are coming now are mostly effective for planting so the season has started and we are encouraging farmers that when you receive enough rains you can plant. You can also consult your local extension personnel to be able to advise you whether you have effective rains or not but in most areas that have received rainfall they have been effective enough,” he added.
Meanwhile, the ministry has revealed that of the record winter wheat that had been harvested Matabeleland South Province lost six hectares, approximately 31,8 tonnes of wheat which was a writeoff. The country recorded another bumper harvest this year of 467 905 tonnes of wheat up from 375 000 tonnes harvested last year which was the highest production of the cereal since 1966.
The harvest from this year is 100 000 tonnes more than national demand, which stands at 360 000 tonnes. The attainment of soft wheat self-sufficiency is premised on the Government’s agricultural transformation anchored on active private and public sector participation.
In a weekly update, the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas) Senior Management report revealed that all the provinces had completed harvesting with six hectares in Matabeleland South being recorded as a writeoff. A total of 4 572 hectares were harvested in Matabeleland South at an average yield of 5,3 tonnes per hectare and the production was 24 231 tonnes, with the initial target being 4 578 hectares.
Commenting on the situation, Matabeleland South acting provincial director for Ardas, Mr Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu revealed that the six hectares were lost at Portbury Irrigation Scheme in Mbalabala, Ward 20, Umzingwane District.
“This was due to failure of the irrigation system that was affected by power failure during the critical economic stage of crop growth. The crop aborted and failed.”
The 35-hectare scheme was established by Government under the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda).
Regarding the overall performance in the country, 90 186 hectares was harvested in the country to produce 467 905 tonnes at an average yield of 5,2 tonnes per hectare.
The highest yielding province was Mashonaland West with 131 048 tonnes harvested followed by Mashonaland East with 86 187 tonnes and Mashonaland Central with 85 541 tonnes. Midlands harvested 64 364 tonnes, Manicaland 60 797 tonnes, Masvingo 8 692 and Matabeleland North 7 045 tonnes.
Online Reporter