Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
FARMERS countrywide have intensified winter wheat planting, with 23 595 hectares already planted as the Government and the private sector scale up support to ensure the country meets this year’s production target.
Zimbabwe is targeting 125 000 hectares under winter wheat this season and expects to produce about 662 500 tonnes, with an average yield of more than four tonnes per hectare.
Statistics from the Agricultural Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) indicate that 14 151 hectares, representing 60 percent of the planted crop, have already germinated, reflecting encouraging progress as the planting window gathers momentum.
Land identification and registration for winter wheat production are also progressing well in all provinces, with 116 880 hectares, representing 94 percent of the targeted area, already identified.
Contract farming is also playing a key role in supporting production, with 90 040 hectares, or 73 percent of the target, now under financing arrangements.
Provincial wheat seminars are ongoing across the country and cascading down to the district level to equip farmers with technical knowledge and production guidelines.
Some farmers have, however, reportedly pulled out of contracts citing viability concerns and water challenges.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Management, Professor Obert Jiri, has urged farmers to speed up planting to maximise yields.
“Early procurement for the Presidential Input Support Programme was done, and inputs for PIP are already at GMB depots, and distribution has started. Most contractors have procured their wheat inputs, and distribution is in progress,” he said.
The Government has identified 20 key enablers to boost winter wheat production this year, including water, mechanisation, electricity, fuel, insurance and finance.
Zimbabwe has 256 958 hectares of functional irrigable land available for winter production, providing a solid foundation for this year’s crop.
Water availability remains favourable, with the country’s major dams averaging 93,2 percent capacity, positioning farmers for a productive irrigation season.
Several strategic dams, including Tugwi-Mukosi, Lake Mutirikwi, Sebakwe, Siya, Zhovhe and Seke, are reported to be at or near full capacity.
Masvingo Province has all its major dams at full capacity, with authorities considering expanding wheat production in the province.
Mazowe Dam remains an area of concern at 14,7 percent, while Mwenje Dam is at 84,2 percent, although water distribution challenges are reportedly affecting intended beneficiaries.
“We have secured the critical enablers for winter production, including electricity, fuel and financing, to support farmers throughout the season and maximise yields,” said Prof Jiri.
Government has ring-fenced 150 megawatts of electricity specifically for winter wheat production to ensure uninterrupted irrigation during the season.
A joint monitoring mechanism involving the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources and the Ministry of Energy and Power Development has also been established to oversee electricity supply during the production period.
ZESA is prioritising power supply to wheat production clusters, while farmers have been encouraged to register their meter numbers with both the ministry and the power utility to protect irrigation infrastructure from general load-shedding.
Fuel supplies are also being monitored weekly by Cabinet and the Ministry of Agriculture to mitigate shortages and logistical bottlenecks.
Mashonaland West is leading in planting progress, having planted 10 310 hectares from a target of 35 000 hectares, and is expected to produce 210 000 tonnes.
Mashonaland East has planted 4 351 hectares from a target of 25 000 hectares, while Mashonaland Central has planted 3 615 hectares from the same target.
Midlands has planted 2 340 hectares from a target of 12 500 hectares, while Manicaland has planted 1 609 hectares from a target of 15 000 hectares.
Matabeleland North has planted 591 hectares, Matabeleland South 588 hectares and Masvingo 182 hectares as planting gathers pace.
Under ARDA joint ventures, 27 454 hectares have been contracted, with 4 311 hectares planted so far compared to 825 hectares planted during the same period last year. The scheme is expected to produce 238 926 tonnes.
Under AFC, 12 302 hectares have been contracted out of a proposed target of 15 000 hectares, with planting currently under way.
The crop has also received financing support from CBZ Agroyield, NMB Self Financing and FCCA.
Meanwhile, FCCA (Delta) has contracted 7 000 hectares of barley across the country, with 33 percent already planted.
With inputs now being distributed under the Presidential Input Support Programme, adequate water levels, secured electricity and strong financing arrangements, Government remains optimistic of meeting this year’s winter wheat production targets.
