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Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mash West Bureau Chief
MASHONALAND West Province is targeting to put at least 360 000 hectares under maize for the 2024/25 season anchored on agro-ecological tailoring, timely and optimal support to farmers.
Prospects for the season have been boosted by expectation of abundant rains associated with the La Nina phenomenon.
Hurungwe District is expected to put 95 000 tonnes, Makonde (87 000ha), Zvimba (70 000 ha), Sanyati (36 000ha), Ngezi (25 000ha) and Kariba (8 000ha).
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo made the revelation during the launch of the Crop, Horticulture, Fisheries and Livestock Summer Plan 2024/25.
“The summer plan is leveraging on Agriculture, Food systems and rural transformation strategy (AFSRTS),” said Minister Chombo.
“As such, this summer season production plan, focuses on food and feed crops, oilseeds and industrial crops, for both local consumption and export.”
The ambitious plan seeks to increase cereal production 3,2 million tonnes from this year’s output of 750 000 tonnes.
Being an agro-based province, Mash West produces about 60 percent of the country’s food, contributing about 12,3 percent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Minister Chombo called for increased motivation and capacitation of farmers in the province to surpass the target.
“The climate variabilities are with us for a while, we have been informed that this season will be a La Nina one, meaning better rainfall which might even be in excess.
“I urge farmers to be vigilant, make your storm drains, tap into Pfumvudza/Intwasa concept for the benefit of achieving Vision 2030 and household food self-sufficiency,” she said.
The Minister urged communities fully apply the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme this season as it has proved to be success in making households’ food and income secure.
To that end, every beneficiary for drought relief should have three plots ready to receive the September 2024 allocation.
Distribution of inputs for the season has already started with 5 872 tonnes of Compound D and 2 682,7 tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate ready for collection.
Any fraudulent activities, she said, would be punished with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) have identified some malpractices.
She said issuance of inputs this season will not follow the master register, but registers of farmers who would have prepared plots for the 24/25 season.
Government wants traditional leaders to play their part in ensuring food security in their areas through the Zunde raMambo Programme.
Banks such as AFC, CBZ and NMB will provide financing for the farmers under the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme.
The Agricultural Rural Development Authority (ARDA) to plant 100 000ha of grain that will go towards the strategic grain reserve.
Agritex provincial director Mrs Madelina Magwenzi said the province was poised to achieve the target.
“We give the targets on the basis of previous performance and capacity and we are very sure that the targets will be met,” said Mrs Magwenzi.
“The targets are the same as last year and we know that with anticipated rains this year, the targets are nothing to the districts.”
Online Reporter