adminRoberta Katunga Senior Farming Reporter
THE winter wheat crop at Arda Antelope Estate at Maphisa Growth Point in Matabeleland South is expected to surpass last year’s targets after 60 more hectares were put under cropping this year, as the farm continues to be a shining example of a Public Private Partnership. Estate manager Mr Alec Chinyai said 490 hectares of wheat have been planted at the farm compared to the inaugural 430 hectares planted last year through a joint venture between Arda and fuel retailing firm Trek Petroleum. Mr Chinyai said the crop which was planted four weeks ago was in a healthy state.
“Initially we wanted to plant 520 hectares but 30 hectares have been earmarked for pastures which will be planted in July for the cattle at Maphaneni Ranch. We are now at top dressing stage with at least seven tonnes per hectare yield expected,” said Mr Chinyai.
He said last year 2 900 tonnes was harvested from the 430 hectares planted. Speaking on the increased area under irrigation, Mr Chinyai said an additional two- centre pivots were installed bringing the total number to 12.
“In summer we are likely to further increase the area under irrigation to 560 hectares as there is another centre pivot that we want to complete stamping off. This process is likely to start in July,” he said.
According to Mr Chinyai, the partners are planning to expand the estate with an additional 800 hectares in the offing.
He said the move is meant to help in attaining the target that Arda has set of ensuring food security in rural areas as well as creating employment in the communities where the estates are situated.
Arda board chairman Mr Basil Nyabadza said they were also expanding the silos and drying capacity at the Arda Antelope Estate.
“Because we received additional rains, our dam is full and naturally we decided to increase our hectarage,” said Mr Nyabadza further confirming their intentions to expand the farm for the next coming farming season.
Earlier this year, Arda and Trek announced its plants to construct an estimated $1 million mealie meal milling plant at the Maphisa Growth Point which is in Kezi South as part of pushing value addition as espoused in the country’s economic blueprint, Zim Asset.
Mr Nyabadza said plans were well advanced to install the milling plant.
“The project is still on the cards. We have been working on it and we are now at an advanced stage of preparation. It only makes sense to process the maize from both Antelope and Ingwizi estates in the region instead of transporting the produce to Bulawayo or Harare. The community should benefit from the farms in their area and value addition is one such component of ensuring that people see rural development in motion,” said Mr Nyabadza.
Online Reporter