Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
FARMERS in Matabeleland South have started harvesting winter wheat and the province is targeting an average yield of 22 890 tonnes, an increase from last year’s 11 430 tonnes.
This year the province put 4 578 hectares under wheat compared to last year’s 2 286 hectares, surpassing its target of 3 200 hectares. The increase has been attributed to various strategies which have been implemented by Government and its partners as well as buy in from farmers.
Nationally, the country is targeting an 11 percent increase in wheat production from last year’s 380 000 tonnes to this year’s 420 000 tonnes.
With good agronomic practices farmers can score more than 430 000 tonnes of wheat at an average yield of five tonnes per hectare. The annual national wheat consumption stands at around 360 000 tonnes leaving a balance of 50 000 tonnes as excess, which can be exported to regional countries.
Harvesting of 545 hectares of wheat is underway at Arda Antelope Estate in Matobo.
Arda Antelope Estate manager, Mr Aleck Chinyai said they had so far harvested over 240 hectares at an average yield of 6,7 tonnes per hectare.
“We are in the process on harvesting wheat at the estate and so far we have covered over 240 hectares out of a total area planted of 545 hectares. The area we have harvested has given us 1 630 tonnes out of an expected 3 600 tonnes,” he said.
Mr Chinyai said they have also started to prepare land for the 2023/24 summer cropping season.
He said they also have put 107 hectares under green mealies of which 52 ha is at tasseling stage.
Mr Chinyai said they are also in the process of harvesting potatoes. The estate had 88 hectares under potatoes with an expected yield of 70 tonnes per hectare. They have started supplying the potatoes to markets across the country.
Matabeleland South acting provincial director for Agricultural Rural Development and Advisory Services, Mr Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu said the uptake of farmers under wheat production has been impressive.
“The province had done very well under wheat production this year. We have 4 578 hectares under wheat compared to last year’s 2 286 hectares. This significant input can be attributed to the Presidential Input scheme which equipped farmers with inputs,” he said.
“Government, working with partners, also came in to rehabilitate some irrigation schemes which were struggling to produce. This year we have an addition of the recently rehabilitated Makwe Irrigation which has 80 hectares under wheat.”
Mr Ndlovu said estates and A2 farmers who planted early are using AFC and private combine harvesters while smallholder farmers are using serrated sickles.
Wheat production in the province was supported by AFC, Presidential Input support Arda among other partners. — @DubeMatutu
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