Midlands poised for bumper harvest

Johnsias Mutonhori, Midlands Correspondent
THE Midlands Province is bracing for a bumper harvest inspired by the current rains that have seen flourishing crops giving hope of national food security underpinned by the Intwasa/Pfumvudza programme.

Although most farmers in the province planted a bit late into the season owing to delayed rains, the persistent rainfall pattern has seen crops getting to the maturity stage and farmers are joyous as they anticipate a good yield from their fields. Midlands Crop and Livestock Officer Mrs Medline Magwenzi said in an interview with Sunday News recently that there was no doubt that good harvests were set to be recorded in the province.

“I am very happy that crops have been doing very well from germination up to today’s stage across the province. I am optimistic that as a province we are going to get a better harvest than what we anticipated,” she said.

Mrs Magwenzi applauded the Government and other partners in the farming sector for the support that they have been giving to farmers in the county.

“Many farmers embraced the Intwasa/Pfumvudza concept which is our Government’s initiative to bolster agriculture and most of them are realising the fruits of their sweat. The mechanisation programme has also made it easy for farmers to increase their hectarage while the Presidential Input Support Programme ensured that the challenge of seed and fertilisers was lessened. We are also happy that there are some partners who chipped in through giving farmers loans,” said Mrs Magwenzi.

Lower Gweru-based Agritex officer who is also a maize farmer Mrs Dorcas Maphosa said she was expecting a bountiful harvest and gave credit to the Government for the support farmers got as well as the good rains that the country received.

“This season I am expecting a bumper harvest, more than what I got last season. The rains were good for the crops and every farmer from my area is happy. I would also like to thank the Government for supporting and prioritising agriculture,” said Mrs Maphosa.

She said although the rains were late the farmers were anticipating a bigger harvest than they ever thought.

“The rains were late in most areas and farmers delayed cultivation and planting making some have doubts of getting a good harvest but we thank God that from the end of January up to this day, rainfall patterns have been in favour of farmers across the province. It re-invigorated the lost hope and re-energised farmers and today, farmers from every part of the province are expecting to fill up their granaries,” she said.