Chronicle Editor
Sharon Chimenya, Masvingo Correspondent
FARMERS in Masvingo are targeting to put 2 500 hectares for winter wheat production this year, with over 800 hectares having already been planted.
The province was given a target of 1000 ha which was later reviewed to 2 500ha by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement. Provincial Agritex Officer Mr Aaron Muchazivepi said if all farmers get inputs in time then they will be able to reach the target.
“For Masvingo Province we were given a target of 1000ha but this has since been revised to 2 500ha by our Ministry. To date we have planted more than 800ha of the 2 500ha with most of our contracted area being under the Lowveld with 1000ha under Masvingo Development Trust.
We also have farmers that have registered with the Presidential Scheme culminating to 700ha so we are looking forward to reaching our target provided all farmers have their inputs in place,” he said.
Mr Muchazivepi said that the only challenge was that of the late arrival of the inputs but they were optimistic since the cut-off date has been extended to 15 June.
“We did have challenges in terms of late arrivals of inputs but the cut-off date for planting has since been revised to 15 June, so we hope that most of our farmers would have planted. We are encouraging our farmers to plant by 15 June.”
According to last week’s Cabinet briefings, Government announced that as at 5 June a total of 47 519 hectares of wheat had been planted which is more than double the area planted at the same time last year.
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