Rains bring good harvest prospects

Herald Reporters

Recent rains and proactive efforts to replenish the strategic grain reserve have bolstered confidence that the nation’s food security will be guaranteed until the next harvest.

This positive outlook is crucial for crop growth and can significantly enhance yields, reflecting a commitment to managing food supplies effectively and mitigating potential shortages.

A robust reserve is vital for stabilising food prices and ensuring a swift response to any unforeseen disruptions in production.

Altogether, the combination of favourable weather and strategic planning lays a strong foundation for food stability in the coming months.

During a visit to Kudenga Farm in Marondera District, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said the country had more than enough supplies, with over 198 000 tonnes of wheat, maize, and traditional grains stored at Grain Marketing Board depots.

He praised farm owner Mr Kudakwashe Kudenga, a young and innovative farmer, for his impressive work on the farm.

“This initiative will help improve the country’s food security,” said Dr Masuka.

The farm’s diverse operations include 1 000 beef cattle, 120 hectares of tobacco, 100 hectares of maize, pigs, goats and six fish ponds.

Minister Masuka highlighted that the Ministry was conducting provincial tours to assess crop conditions and to ensure that the President Mnangagwa’s goal of food security was met.

“With farmers like Kudenga in Marondera, we are on track to achieve this goal. Given the forecast of good rains, we anticipate that the country will be able to sustain itself more consistently, moving away from the episodic weather-related challenges of the past. This diversified farm is truly remarkable,” he said.

He also noted the success of the farm’s fishery and livestock operations, which use modern breeding techniques, resulting in an annual off-take of 250 steers from a herd of 1 000 head of cattle.

“We have seen enterprising tobacco curing facilities that are powered by renewable energy; this is the way to go,” he added.

Explaining the distribution of resources, Minister Masuka said that 70 percent of the strategic grain reserve is concentrated in Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central, with additional supplies in Mashonaland East.

“We have enough to feed the 6,45 million rural Zimbabweans at 7,5kg per person per month until March, and we can also feed the 4,5 million learners from early childhood development to grade seven until the first term concludes,” he assured.

Mr Kudenga expressed gratitude for the Government’s support in enhancing their farming operations.

“Working with the Government has helped us to improve our farming, and we are looking forward to some rainfall to enhance that view. Once the rainfall comes, we hope to surpass the mark of 12 tonnes of maize a hectare. We collaborate with all our stakeholders, from seed companies to the Government’s irrigation departments,” he said.

With such commitment and collaboration, the Government remains optimistic about the nation’s food security, ensuring that Zimbabwe is well-equipped to meet its agricultural needs.