Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
WHEAT farmers must prioritise value addition such as community and on-farm flour mills and bakeries to bolster investment and enhance local economies.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri, emphasised the importance of transforming raw wheat into finished products, enabling farmers to take charge of their agricultural enterprises and meet local demand at a monitoring visit to Springs Farm in Goromonzi on Friday.
Prof Jiri underscored the potential for wheat producers to operate as a business noting that those managing extensive wheat fields ranging from 50 ha to 100 hectares should recognise their capacity for significant economic impact.
“There is nothing that stops them from adding value on the farm. People will need bread anyway.
“Even that particular farmer needs bread,” he added, highlighting the universal demand for this staple food.
Prof Jiri encouraged farmers to take pride in their ability to produce their own bread, regardless of the initial quality.
“Even if the bread that the farmer starts producing is not so good, it’s our bread anyway,” he remarked. This sentiment aims to instil a sense of ownership and pride among farmers, motivating them to pursue value-added production.
To further enhance their productivity, Professor Jiri urged farmers to collaborate with neighbouring producers.
“We should be able to join hands with the neighbouring farmers to produce for our own production plant,” he said.
He proposed the establishment of small milling plants for flour production and bakeries for bread-making as viable options for value addition.
This collaborative approach not only boosted individual farmers’ output but also strengthens community ties and local economies.
As of now, most wheat crops are at a late vegetative stage and are transitioning into the reproductive phase.
Prof Jiri was optimistic about this year’s wheat yields, attributing the positive outlook to favourable climatic conditions.
“Farmers are busy doing the agronomics, fertiliser application, and irrigation application, and generally, wheat is looking very well,” he noted.
He said the ongoing cold weather has been particularly beneficial, promoting significant tillering across provinces.
“We anticipate that we are going to see better yield than last season, where it was not so cold.”
With a target of 600 000 tonnes for this season, he believes that local farmers will achieve this goal, further solidifying the importance of value addition in the wheat industry.
In addressing potential challenges, Prof Jiri reported that power supplies, which have historically affected agricultural productivity, have been largely resolved this season. He said through effective engagements with ZETDC, 150 megawatts have been allocated specifically for wheat farmers.
“Wherever wheat farmers see a blackout, it means that there is a challenge. Either it’s a real fault, or there is some minimal load shedding,” he explained.
Additionally, ZINWA has been proactive in tackling water access issues, ensuring that farmers can irrigate their crops effectively.
“Our engagements with ZINWA are facilitating farmers’ access to water,” he added, highlighting the ministry’s commitment to supporting agricultural resilience.
As the agricultural sector faces evolving challenges and opportunities, the call for wheat farmers to embrace value addition has never been more critical.
By transforming raw wheat into finished products, farmers can create sustainable businesses, enhance food security, and contribute significantly to local economies.
With supportive measures in place and a collective effort among farmers, the future of wheat production in the region looks promising.
