dyton mupawaenda
Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
Farmers have now harvested 86 percent of the total wheat crop meeting national demand and the regional export market.
The country is expected to harvest around 440 000 tonnes of wheat, setting a new record and beating domestic demand of 360 000 tonnes for the second year running.
The move will also allow the country to escape the harsh effects of geo-political disturbances in Eastern Europe that have disrupted supply chains creating shortages of wheat and other commodities globally.
Last season, the country managed to break all the records since the production of wheat started in 1966 where Zimbabwe achieved 375 000 tonnes of wheat last year from 81 000 ha and to date the country holds a national stock of around 140 000 tonnes.
Statistics released by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development indicate that 77 200 hectares out of 90 192 hectares were so far harvested countrywide.
The ministry also indicated that 246 combine harvesters are on the ground assisting farmers to speed up wheat harvesting.
Matabeleland South is leading in wheat harvesting with farmers so far harvesting 90 percent of the crop followed by Mashonaland Central and Midlands with 89 percent, then Mashonaland West with 86 percent and Mashonaland East with 85 percent.
Zimbabwe was targeting to export wheat in the region this year as the Second Republic’s Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy and other related policies continue to bear fruit.
The ministry’s permanent secretary Professor Obert Jiri, however, is encouraging wheat farmers to expedite harvesting of their winter wheat crop by all means available.
Farmers are optimistic that another record harvest crop will be achieved if farmers speed up the harvesting process adding that this year.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president Dr Shadreck Makombe indicated that a bumper wheat harvest can be achieved this year urging farmers to speed up wheat harvesting.
“All systems are working smoothly so farmers should communicate with their contractors to ensure that they get assistance. Combine harvesters are on the ground so farmers should go to relevant authorities so that they quickly get assistance,’’ he said.
Dr Makombe recently warned wheat farmers to stick to the calendar to avoid compromising quality crop adding that the affected crop may not be accepted for human consumption and that is the biggest loss. While scattered rain does not affect wheat, so long as there are almost immediate dry spells following, prolonged soaking of wheat ready for harvest, or wheat that has been laid against the ground, can cause rot.
Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust president Mrs Depinah Nkomo said this season was the best time to attain wheat self-sufficiency following various measures implemented by the Government to ensure that farmers grow enough wheat.
“We had enough water for irrigation and electricity. We are aiming higher than last season. We hope this time the rains will not compromise our wheat,’’ she said.
This season the Government was well prepared in supporting wheat better than the previous seasons as it is working closely with important stakeholders such as ZESA and ZINWA to ensure that there is uninterrupted power supply as well as enough water for irrigation to maintain wheat self-sufficiency.
Government has also procured drones to control infestation of quelea birds in a bid to secure wheat in all provinces.
Online Reporter