Online Reporter
Patience Maturure
Agriculture Reporter
FARMERS have heeded Government’s directive to increase cereal production to enhance both household and national food security and planted 1, 8 million hectares of a maize crop reported to be in good condition.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka revealed this recently at a field day hosted by a 90-year old widow, Gogo Emily Marimira Nherara at her homestead in Goromonzi district’s ward 12.
Gogo Marimira has five Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots, three of which have maize while the remaining two have groundnuts and finger millet separately. She had been a beneficiary of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme since 2020 and has been scoring successful harvests.
“His Excellency President Mnangagwa has set a target of 1, 8 million hectares of maize for the 2024/25 season and the nation has managed to reach a maximum of 1, 786 million hectares which is 99 percent,” he said.
The Minister is on a countrywide tour to assess the condition of crops, as the country seeks to replenish the strategic grain reserve (SGR) and ensure adequate food and nutrition security.
“We are on a countrywide tour to assess the crop condition to ascertain whether the President’s wish and vision for the season will be fulfilled.
“We have visited most parts of the country. The crop condition, especially maize, is good in all provinces,” he said.
The Minister said 1, 8 million hectares of maize must be able to provide a minimum of 2, 7 million tonnes of the crop, as the condition is extremely good.
“For cereal production we have targeted 3, 2 million hectares countrywide and I promise you that we will be able to achieve it,” he said.
The good crop condition is expected to continue in that state as the meteorological services department (MSD) has indicated that the country will receive significant rainfall from next week onwards.
Min Masuka advised farmers who have not yet completed planting and weeding to speed up their activities, as the rains are expected to end mid-March.
“If you want to do sweet potatoes and perhaps very ultra early sunflower and African peas, you can do so now.
“The rains are expected to taper off by about mid-March so this looks like it’s going to be a very good season for the country,” the Minister added.
The rains augur well for the country’s food and nutrition security, livelihood improvement and the country’s agro-based economy.
