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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
Farmers who planted the early wheat crop have started harvesting and with more than 300 combine harvesters now in the country and 200 of them already calibrated and configured for wheat harvesting, the record harvest can be brought in.
Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) Leasing Company, Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) and the Department of Mechanisation under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Development are ready to assist farmers with harvesting services.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera said dedicated combine harvesters were available for use by all wheat production clusters.
At least one combine harvester would be deployed for each cluster and any additional combine harvesters needed would be released to clusters based on identified needs.
“Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) Equipment Leasing Company officially launched wheat harvesting on September 12, 2023, at ARDA Jotsholo,” he said. “Furthermore, private players offering harvesting services are available to support and expedite the transition from 2023 winter to 2023/24 summer programme.
“Commercial rates applicable for wheat harvesting encompassing both dry and wet rates were shared. These include rates by Government and private sector players.”
Dr Basera indicated that there was enough drying capacity as shared with farmers in wheat growing clusters for those that will need to quickly transition from wheat to summer cropping.
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has enough storage capacity and it is ready for grain intake at all depots, with private warehouse operators having adequate storage to complement GMB if the need arises.
He also indicated that preparedness for summer cropping is pleasing and is at an advanced stage.
AFC Equipment Leasing Company is offering tillage services or tractor hire under several models such as direct hire and third party hire .
There is also enough fuel accessible using local currency for summer crops farm preparation and winter wheat harvesting available through Agricultural Marketing Authority to all registered farmers in its database.
Farmers are expected to maximise on the early rains as a way to mitigate the vagaries of the 2023/24 season as forecasted.
Tillage capability in Zimbabwe is currently at more than 13 500 tractors and farmers are encouraged to do conservation tillage due to the expected El Nino as this will ensure as much moisture as possible is retained in the soil.
The cumulative area planted to wheat for this season is 90 192ha which is just over the target area of 90 000ha.
This is expected to produce 420 000 tonnes of the cereal, well above the 375 000 tonnes of last year, the highest ever recorded since wheat growing started in 1966.
This season Mashonaland Central has planted 16 067ha out of a target of 18 200ha, compared to 12 991 planted last season.
Mashonaland West has planted 27 132ha out of 32 000ha, compared to 26 970ha planted last season.
Mashonaland East has planted 16 970ha exceeding its target of 14 000ha and significantly over the 11 727 ha planted last season.
Manicaland has planted 11 054ha exceeding its target of 10 000ha and above the 10 114ha planted last season.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) secretary general, Mr Paul Zakariya, said time was crucial in wheat production, adding that delay in preparations will compromise the quality of the rains by the early rains.
“By end of April, farmers should complete land preparations for wheat. This will ensure that harvesting will be done on time and farmers are able to transition to summer crops. Farmers should access inputs on time so that they plant on time and this will ensure that our crop will not be affected. Land preparations for summer crops should also be done early,’’ he said.
Farmers this year are optimistic that a good harvest is ahead of them because of the availability of water and electricity supplies.
Mrs Rudo Makoni, a farmer from Makonde said veld fires and quelea birds were the only threats in wheat production, adding that if controlling measures were implemented and strengthened, a bumper harvest is likely to be achieved.
“We are happy that so far no serious power cuts are taking place so we appeal for authorities to strengthen measures that will control veld fires and quelea birds because these are the only menace that we are afraid of,” she said.
Mrs Meggy Musemwa of Banket in Maheu indicated that this is the most stressful period where farmers will be concentrating on harvesting while working on preparations on summer crops.
‘’There is a need to utilise time wisely because farmers will be busy as they will be focusing on many tasks. I’m sure this season we can produce more than last year,’’ she said.
This season the Government was well prepared in supporting wheat better than the previous seasons as it was working closely with important stakeholders such as ZESA and ZINWA to ensure that there is uninterrupted power supply as well as enough water for irrigation to maintain wheat self-sufficiency.
Online Reporter