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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
Mashonaland West Province is leading in terms of the hectarage that has been put under wheat, with 35 000ha under the crop, out of 121 000 hectares planted countrywide.
The province is the country’s major contributor of agricultural produce due to its weather pattern and good soils.
In the last cropping seasons, the province also surpassed set targets and was also named the best in the climate-proofed Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme.
A weekly update on Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS) revealed that the province has also exceeded its target of 34 000ha.
Statistics from the department shows that of the 121 000ha of wheat planted, Mashonaland West has planted 35 000ha of wheat compared to 27 000ha last year followed by Mashonaland Central, which has a total hectarage of 30 000ha compared to 16 000ha last year and Mashonaland East planted 22 000ha compared to 17 000ha last year same time.
Mashonaland West continues to be the anchor of the country’s agricultural revolution as farmers in the area have become the torchbearers in various farming disciplines in the quest to reposition the country into a breadbasket.
This is expected to reduce or eliminate the food import bill with the ultimate goal being to maintain an upper middle income economy by 2030 in line with the National Development Strategy 1.
The province has proved to be the engine in the farming of all crops such as wheat, maize, tobacco and cotton.
Due to its favourable climate, dams and huge silos in Banket and Lions Den, farmers in the province have a point to prove that they have the capacity to do their best.
This season farmers are expected to produce over 600 000ha of wheat which is actually against an annual target of 360 000 tonnes.
The focus is now on the good agronomic practices to maximise on productivity through farmer field Schools (FFS).
Zimbabwe is optimistic that this year’s winter wheat production will help to boost food security following various interventions that were implemented by Government and private sector engagement to boost a record harvest.
The wheat crop is supported through private contractors, Government’s National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme, (NEAPS) Presidential wheat support and self-financed growers.
For the past four seasons, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, were two countries which were wheat self-sufficient.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union (ZCFU) president, Dr Shadreck Makombe said the commitment shown by farmers is good adding that they should maintain good agronomic practice so that they produce five tonnes per ha in order to meet a target of 600 000 tonnes.
“Holistic approach is needed to ensure that the target is met. Failure to do so will humper the productivity levels. Fire guards should be established.
“Getting advice from extension workers is also key. Farmers should be on the lookout for quelea birds,” he said.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Professor Obert Jiri indicated that good agronomic practices are the only ways to unlock the massive potential so that the country achieves a good yield.
“Good agronomic practices are the only ways to increase productivity.
“It is important to employ good agronomic practices to any cropping venture to unlock the value,” he said.
Online Reporter