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Elton Manguwo
WITH all indications on the ground pointing towards a replication of last season’s bumper wheat harvest, the Government has applauded the private sector for supporting 76 percent of this year’s winter wheat crop in a move that bolsters the drive to reduce imports as well as boost food security.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Dr John Basera recently observed that private sector players including millers and banks were to support 76 percent of the national wheat target through a Government facilitated and private sector led contract farming model.
“We applaud the private sector’s contribution in complementing Government efforts towards boosting primary production, as the country moves towards food self-sufficiency,” he said.
The country is targeting at least 85 000 hectares to achieve 408 000 tonnes of the cereal up from last year’s 375 000 tonnes.
“The coming in of the private sector to help meet the country’s food self-sufficiency targets is expected to boost confidence among farmers and ensure viability,” said Dr Basera.
Private sector participation in primary production is testament to Governments’ policy for private players to fund 40 percent production of its raw materials locally thereby supporting farmers to become more business oriented.
In 2020, the private sector supported production on 10 000 hectares before upscaling to 20 000 and 30 000ha in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
“Repeating last year’s yields is a key component of the country’s industrialisation process, as it will guarantee raw material availability for millers,” said Dr Basera.
Meanwhile, the Government has on its part, also mobilised the necessary resources to increase support for wheat production.
“All the critical processes have been lined up so that water and electricity are availed specifically for the winter wheat growing areas,” he said highlighting that prioritisation of the wheat production was set to ensure that the country has a successful season.
The Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) Leasing Company has tractors with the necessary attachments plus combine harvesters capable of tilling 60 000 hectares and harvesting 40 000 respectively.
On the one hand, the Government will also support smallholder farmers using irrigation with up to three hectares’ worth of inputs each. This programme is targeting at least 20 000 hectares of wheat.
The agriculture sector is expected to anchor the country’s economic development as improved raw material production will have a dominos effect on the agro-processing industries.
Last year the country managed to save US$300 million that could have gone towards wheat imports thanks to the bumper harvest that was recorded.
“We are happy with the positive appetite by the private sector to continue supporting the production of primary resources needed by the processing industries in a development that will essentially see the economy moving towards maximum production with the import substitution thrust producing the expected results too,” said Dr Basera.
Online Reporter