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Michael Magoronga, [email protected]
THE improved power supply in the country buoyed by the completion and subsequent commissioning of the US$1,5 billion Hwange Power Station Units 7 and 8 expansion is a huge boost for winter wheat production with farmers in the Midlands province saying this will enhance their yields.
This comes as the province has surpassed its target after planting 10 000 hectares of winter wheat against a target of 9 000 hectares of wheat this season.
In an interview on the sidelines of the recent Kwekwe Agricultural Show, acting Midlands provincial director for agriculture extension and rural development, Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi, said uninterrupted power supply was a key enabler this season.
“If anything, we are grateful to ZESA for uninterrupted power supply. This means our farmers can now water their crop without hindrances and I am sure that this will boost our yield come harvest time,” she said.
Mrs Magwenzi, however, said farmers were still receiving exorbitant water charges, which were threatening to derail their farming exploits.
“We are still engaging with ZINWA because farmers are receiving huge water bills. In terms of water supply, it is constant and it can take us through the whole winter season, but the charges are too much,” she said.
Besides receiving seed and inputs a bit late, the Midlands province managed to surpass its target and its crop is at various stages as farmers work towards maximizing yields per hectare.
“Supported by initiatives like the Presidential Wheat Scheme, the CBZ Agro-Yield, private farmers and private contractors as well as ARDA, we managed to surpass our target,” said Mrs Magwenzi.
“Our team of extension officers are working together with farmers as well as our stakeholders to ensure that we attain more tonnage.”
She said although most farmers were confident that they will attain an average of between five to seven tonnes per hectare some are working on increasing that to nine tonnes per hectare.
Mrs Magwenzi said they have received reports of quelea birds, which troubled a few farmers in Kwekwe but they have since gotten rid of them.
“We had challenges with quelea birds as you may be aware. But as a ministry, we purchased drones, which we are using to control the birds. I’m glad that one of the first drones was tested in Kwekwe and as we speak everything is under control,” she said.
The Kwekwe Agricultural Show, traditionally held in the rural parts of the district, was held in Kwekwe Urban for the first time as a way of creating market linkages.
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