Tendai Gukutikwa
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
MANICALAND wheat farmers are optimistic about exceeding this year’s 13 000-hectare winter wheat target, despite payment delays from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) for last year’s deliveries.
The province aims to plant 13 000 hectares, yielding 4,5 tonnes per hectare, to produce 58 500 tonnes.
However, delayed payment processing may force farmers to scale down on wheat planting.
Nationally, 120 000 hectares are targeted for wheat farming.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union executive director, Mr Paul Zakariya said most farmers still have summer crops like maize and tobacco in their fields.
Mr Zakariya confirmed that wheat farmers contracted by the Food Contractors Association have received their payments, while GMB still owes a few farmers.
“Winter wheat season is already upon us, and land preparation for those that had already removed their summer crop has already started. We are still waiting for the bulky of our growers to finish their summer crops after which they can commence preparations for wheat. We are aiming at growing 120 000ha under wheat.
“We are very much on course, and we believe we will register another successful season. Grain Marketing Board recently announced that Treasury has released some money for payments of farmers. Farmers that were contracted by Food Contractors Association have all been paid.
‘‘The bulky of farmers that delivered their wheat to GMB have been paid, but we still have some who are yet to receive their payments,” said Mr Zakariya.
GMB recently announced that Treasury had released US$23 million and ZiG215 million for payment of farmers for their delivered wheat.
“The Grain Marketing Board has received US$5 million for wheat payments this week, bringing the total payments for wheat deliveries to US$23 million and ZiG215 million. The board greatly appreciates all the efforts being put in place by Treasury to mobilise resources as farmers prepare for the winter wheat cropping season.
“GMB greatly appreciates, the resilience and undoubted commitment and dedication of our farmers as the country drives towards a wheat based food self-sufficiency,” said GMB in a statement last month.
Middle Sabi Farmers Association chairman, Mr Skumbuzo Todhlana said the late payments risk dampening the morale of farmers who are ready for the season.
“We have serious challenge here in Middle Sabi due to the late payment of deliveries made. Most of farmers have not yet received their payments. As it stands right now ZESA and ZINWA have switched off water and electricity supplies due to non-payment,” said Mr Todhlana.
Headlands farmer, Mr Tedious Nyikayaramba, of Choko Farm, where he is into a joint venture, said they are raring to go, and are putting final preparations for planting.
“We are ready for the winter wheat cropping. This year, we are planting 40 hectares, up from last year’s 30 hectares. Our average yield per hectare is six tonnes. Our source of water for irrigation is a dam, which is almost full, and is also supported by four boreholes.
‘‘We hope electricity supply will be constant so that our irrigation schedule is not affected,” he said.
ARDA was expected to hold a crunch meeting with its contracted farmers in Middle Sabi in preparations for the upcoming season.
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