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Edgar Vhera Agriculture Specialist Writer
AS farmers race to beat the May 31 winter wheat planting window, over 40 000 hectares have been confirmed planted, marking an eight percent rise from the corresponding time in 2023.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) acting chief director, Mr Leonard Munamati yesterday said 40 042 hectares had been planted to date.
This represents an eight percent surge from last year’s 36 934ha.
Food Crop Contractors Association (FCCA) chairman, Mr Graeme Murdoch said he was quite sure their members would meet their targeted hectarage by the close of the planting window.
“FCCA members are reporting just under 20 000 hectares planted to date. This means they are on course to complete planting by May 31,” the FCCA chair said.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has urged all wheat farmers to register with them for water abstraction rights to ensure the targeted 120 000 hectares of the cereal are achieved.
Speaking during a recent wheat conference organised by Zimpapers in partnership with other stakeholders, Zinwa chief executive officer Engineer Taurayi Maurikira said water can only be a key enabler if its use is properly planned.
“We have enough water to do 141 000ha but for planning purposes farmers should register. It is illegal to abstract water without an agreement,” he said.
Zinwa annually does four assessments that guide use of water for irrigation.
“We conduct an end of season assessment by March 31 to determine the amount of water available at the end of rainfall season. We then do a demand assessment through stakeholder engagements with farmers, mining, industry, environment and urban water requirements,” the Zinwa CEO said.
From the first two assessments, Zinwa does allocations and agreements to manage the existing water resources to ensure equity and sustainability.
It then initiates dam releases and abstraction monitoring to coordinate water needs and releases as per demand.
Eng Maurikira said: “The following measures have been put in place to ensure adequacy of water for winter wheat: Applying a realistic water demand per hectare, combined use of all dams on the same river system to ensure equitable distribution of water as well as strict monitoring of releases from dams.”
Zinwa has so far registered and engaged farmers who plan to do 23 percent of the targeted 120 000 hectares, with Eng Maurikira calling on all prospective farmers to register.
Zinwa allocates water to farmers based on their hectarage and water demand per hectare.
“The farmer determines the water demand for the season depending on crop type, agro-ecological region, type of irrigation system and other applicable factors.
“An agreement is signed between farmer and Zinwa to reserve the water for the farmer for the duration of the season,” Eng Maurikira said.
Following complaints of delayed payments in previous seasons by farmers and monthly accumulation of interests in utility bills, Zinwa is employing a seasonal billing system for farmers who have stop order agreements with produce off-takers.
“Farmers will sign a water purchase agreement with Zinwa at the beginning of the season. The water bill will cover the season and payment will be due when the farmer is paid for their produce by the off taker.
“During the season, the farmer will not be charged interest but interest will only be due seven days after the farmer has been paid for their produce,” explained Eng Maurikira.
Farmers will pay on allocation per hectare or on metered consumption. All wheat farmers are charged a maximum of US$10, 76 per mega litre with A1 irrigators paying US$2, 73, communal irrigators at US$2, 15 while sub-catchment levy has been reduced to US$0, 50 per mega litre.
Online Reporter