Winter wheat planting season extended

Sunday Mail Reporter

THE Government has extended the winter wheat planting season, which was supposed to close yesterday, by two weeks, as it races to meet the 120 000-hectare (ha) target expected to produce 600 000 tonnes (t) of the cereal this year.

Experts recommend planting in May to avoid frost and pests during critical growth stages, with the ideal planting window being May 1 to May 31.

To date, farmers have planted 70 000ha.

The late rains, while beneficial for land preparation, delayed the harvesting of summer crops like maize.

This challenge prevented combine harvesters from operating efficiently in many fields.

During a recent assessment tour in Beatrice, acting chief director of the Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (ARDAS) in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Mr Leonard Munamati said the national target is still within reach.

“Currently, nationally, our farmers have planted over 66 000 hectares of wheat, and we know that they continue to plant,” he said.

“Yes, we are fast approaching the end of the winter wheat planting window, but we also understand that our farmers are still harvesting their maize.

“From today (Thursday) to the deadline (Saturday), we expect that we must be at or above 70 000ha.”

Collaborations, he said, are key in ensuring Zimbabwe becomes wheat-sufficient.

Farmers under the Presidential Inputs Programme were urged to collect inputs immediately from Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots.

“To achieve our goals, I urge farmers not to wait for the GMB to transport inputs to their doorstep; they should collect these immediately to complete planting by the end of the next two weeks,” he said.

Mr Munamati said this year’s focus is anchored in expert advice, as farmers need to maximise yields per unit area, rather than simply increasing hectarage without corresponding productivity.

Last year, 119 954ha, which yielded 562 591t, were put under the cereal.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri reiterated the importance of good agronomic practices in unlocking the sector’s full potential.

“Good agronomic practices are the only way to unlock the massive potential of our agriculture sector,” he said.

“We are committed to returning Zimbabwe to its status as the breadbasket of Southern Africa. My team is actively rolling out seminars on these practices to enhance crop performance and irrigation efficiency.”

The distribution of vital inputs under the Presidential Inputs Programme and ARDA Irrigation Schemes Programme is in its final stages, ensuring that essential fertiliser and wheat seed timeously reach various GMB depots.

These programmes are targeting 20 000 hectares, complementing broader efforts under the National Enhanced Agricultural Production Scheme, Private Sector Programme and other joint venture initiatives.