Govt angles for another wheat record

Theseus Shambare

This year’s wheat production is set to increase by 9 percent to 408 000 tonnes, from the record output of 375 131 tonnes last season, as the authorities introduce more interventions to support cereal farmers.

Cabinet last week gave the green light for implementation of various proposals from the Government and private players to lay the platform for another record wheat yield.

Last year, Zimbabwe recorded its highest-ever output since commercial production began in the early 1960s, after recording a surplus against the national annual requirement of 360 000 tonnes.

This, according to experts, saved the country at least US$100 million through import substitution.

Before last year’s milestone, record deliveries stood at 325 000 tonnes realised in 1990, and the authorities are determined to continue setting new records in the hunt for wheat self-sufficiency and to become a net exporter of the cereal.

The 2023 winter wheat season is expected to commence on April 1.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services chief director Professor Obert Jiri said the Cabinet nod paves the way for all stakeholders in the wheat sector to put preparations in full gear.

He said good rains being experienced currently bode well for a successful winter wheat season.

“From the part of the Government, it is all systems go.

“After the Cabinet approval, the total contribution of all Government and private sector programmes will bring overall projected production to 408 000 tonnes, ensuring the country meets its domestic consumption needs and is left with surplus for export.

“It is high time farmers take advantage of the rains to utilise the optimum time for planting winter wheat, which is between April and the last week of May and earlier in the Lowveld, before the temperatures drop in June because germination is derailed by coldness,” said Prof Jiri.

A total of 85 000ha has been targeted for wheat production in the 2023 season, which is an improvement from the 80 883ha planted last year.

This, Prof Jiri said, will be largely supported through private contractors, Government’s National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme, the Presidential wheat support scheme, and self-financed growers.

“CBZ Agro-Yield seeks to contract 20 000ha, at a projected average yield of 4,8 tonnes per hectare and the estimated production is 96 000t.

“AFC Land Bank seeks to contract 15 000ha, with a projected yield of 4,8t/ha and the estimated production is 72 000t. The private sector and self-financed schemes will contract 25 000ha of wheat, with a projected average yield of 4,8t/ha and the estimated production is 120 000t,” he said.

The Presidential scheme will also continue, targeting 20 000ha for wheat, with an estimated production of 96 000 tonnes.

The move is aimed at bolstering the country’s food security and eliminating dependence on imports, especially against the backdrop of the geo-political conflict in Ukraine, which disrupted food supply chains worldwide.

Production in agriculture is largely determined by the timely distribution of inputs, attractive producer prices that motivate farmers and abundance of water.

Prof Jiri implored farmers to start working on their fields ahead of time.

“Farmers need to act and utilise the good rains we are having for this is the moisture we would need in land preparations. As you know, winter wheat is done under irrigation.

“We expect that for those who had summer maize, that crop must be maturing and ready to be harvested soon to pave the way for the winter wheat.

“Those with fields that have no summer crops have to start land preparation now so that planting will be done as early as possible to beat the cold period.”

Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe chairperson Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said good-quality wheat is what matters for the market and timeous planting is necessary.

“Last season, we had some cases, though they were few, of having rains damaging late-planted wheat.

“To us, few damaged wheat is a lot of income lost, so we urge farmers to try their best to do early planting so that their crop will mature before the rains. We want good, locally produced quality wheat,” he said.

Nyamavanga Farmers Association chairperson Mr Silas Mubhemi said wheat farmers are gearing up to break another record.

“Most of our farmers are ready for the fast-approaching season. We hope our Government will continue creating this favourable environment.”