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Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau
AT least 13 474 hectares of wheat fields have been harvested in Mashonaland West Province, with about 75 000 tonnes realised.
The provincial average yield of the cereal stands 5,6 tonnes per hectare. Mashonaland West planted wheat on 27 000 hectares out of the 91 000 hectares achieved this year.
Zimbabwe is target to achieve 420 000 tonnes of wheat, which is over the 360 000 tonnes that are required nationally.
Giving an update on wheat harvesting that is underway, Agriculture and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) Mashonaland West director, Mrs Evelyn Ndoro, said while the rains received last week had disturbed the process, there was no physical damage to the crop.
“So far, we have harvested 13 474 hectares, which is almost 52 percent of the total planted area. Our average yield output stands at 5,66 tonnes per hectare and harvesting continues,” she said.
Mrs Ndoro said a survey by the ARDAS team dispatched to various farms that received the highest amounts of rain, showed that there was not damage to the crop.
“From areas visited, we have not seen or received reports of physical damage.
“We will, however, see if there has been an effect on the quality of the wheat once farmers deliver their crop to the contractor,” she added.
Farmers were contracted under various schemes including National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme (NEAPS) previously known as Command Agriculture.
A commercial farmer from Zvimba district, Mr Ephraim Pasipanodya, said harvesting of at least 400 hectares of wheat and barley was progressing well.
Harvesting was also progressing well at Mr Lincoln Chirinda’s Reinfields Farm in Mhangura, with a certain portion of the farm having the crop that was planted a bit earlier still to be harvested.
However, harvesting of vlei wheat in parts of Mhondoro-Mubaira in Chegutu district and Mhondoro-Ngezi district had been successfully done.
The farmers who benefited from the Presidential Winter Wheat Inputs Scheme managed to manually harvest their crops using sickles.
Meanwhile, the province has set a target of more than 475 000 farmers to benefit from the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Sheme, which translates to at least 113 000 hectares and would contribute significantly to the provincial maize target of 36 000 hectares.
Distribution of inputs has already begun with farmers being discouraged from planting until effective rains are received.
Online Reporter