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Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
Winter wheat planting is on course with farmers taking steps to increase this season’s hectarage to boost the country’s self-reliance on the grain.
Statistics from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development show that of the targeted 120 000 hectares, over 1 824ha have so far been planted, and 71 778ha have been contracted.
Manicaland is targeting 13 000ha, Mashonaland Central 28 000ha, Mashonaland East 21 000, Mashonaland West 34 000ha, Masvingo 4 000ha, Matabeleland South 5 500ha, Matabeleland North 2 500ha, Midlands 12000ha.
Seed requirements for 120 000ha is 15 000 tonnes and available to date is 12 664 tonnes for 101 312ha, while 76 630 tonnes fertilisers available, which is 64 percent of the required tonnage.
On mechanisation, combine harvesters and dryers for both maize and wheat have been made available, while chemicals are available for pre-emergency weed and quelea birds control.
Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) chief executive officer, Mr Tinotenda Mhiko said the wheat-based food security strategy aims to establish 60 000 hectares to produce at least 300 000 tonnes of wheat that will go into the Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR).
“The 2024 ARDA winter wheat programme has been structured to support the National Food Security recovery intervention strategy following 2023/24 summer season’s El Niño induced drought.
“There is both comparative and competitive advantage in growing winter wheat against that of maize and sorghum. It is against this background that we have buttressed our plan on establishing a cereal crop that gives the best possible output during this period. We aim to conclude plantings within the recommended planting window so as to maximise yields,” he said.
CBZ Agro yield acting managing director Mr Wellington Mutizwa said they were well prepared this season to support wheat farmers, adding that they were currently distributing inputs.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union (ZCFU) president, Dr Shadreck Makombe said farmers are on various stages in wheat planting, adding that early planting has an advantage in that it cannot be affected by early rains.
The optimum planting dates for wheat are from the last week of April (in lowveld areas) to the end of May.
However, the highest yields are obtained when planting is done within the first two weeks of May.
Online Reporter