Zim targets 4m hectares for 2023-24 agric season

Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter

This season the country is targeting 4 million hectares under crops to ensure food self-sufficiency and greater exports along with more income for farmers and growing rural wealth.

Recently, Government has indicated that there is enough seed for traditional grains and legumes with focus now concentrated on increasing productivity to ensure that production grows by 10 percent for major crops.

The Second Republic has made food and nutrition security a top priority and is working towards attaining a US$13,75 billion agriculture industry by 2025.

Government programmes such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa, the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme (NEAPS) and interventions by the private sector and the Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), are set to enhance production of all crops this season, ensuring greater food production, greater production of oil seed, more tobacco.

This ensures food self-sufficiency, far more local raw materials in other products, and greater incomes for farmers as they sell their surpluses and cash crops.

This season Government is targeting 2million ha of maize, 350 000ha of sorghum, 200 000hactares of Pearl millet, 30 000ha of finger millet, 60 000ha of soyabean, 385 000ha of groundnuts, 55 000ha of sugarbeans, 110 000ha of roundnuts, 93 500ha of African peas, 160 000ha of Sunflower, 30 000ha of sweet potato, 5 000ha of cassava, 270 000ha of cotton, 148 500ha of tobacco and 20 000ha of sesame.

Statistics from Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services in the ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development also indicate that of the 2 million hectares targeted on maize countrywide, Mashonaland West is targeting 366 000ha, 290 000ha for Mashonaland Central, 260 000 for Mashonaland East province, 290 000ha for Manicaland, 350 000ha for Midlands and 200 000ha for Masvingo province.

Farmers have high expectations since the Government has set a conducive environment for a successful summer cropping season through capacitation of extension services staff and early distribution of inputs to farmers.

Preparations are underway and farmers are putting final touches on land preparations.

Experts also urged farmers to prepare adequately for inputs such as seeds and fertilisers and to consider other agronomic practices such as weeding, and suggested that farmers might need to consider herbicides to control weeds.

Tobacco Farmers Union Trust president Mr Victor Mariranyika said farmers are geared-up adding that there is likely to be significant improvement in tobacco output next year.

“ I understand the contractors have supplied the farmers with the much-needed inputs for the irrigated tobacco. A huge progress has so far shown by the commercial farmers. It is too early to conclude, but it seems things are in the right direction,” he said.

Mr Mariranyika also said it is critical to choose a variety which suits the region adding that this season they are expecting improvement in yields.

Farmers are also warned against buying fake seeds from unregistered traders to avoid counting losses.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe said farmers must prepare adequately for the upcoming season to maximise production and boost their incomes.

Experts warned farmers to watch out for livestock diseases and urged them to stock up dipping chemicals and ensure consistent dipping.

Recently,chief director, policy and planning in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Clemence Bwenje indicated that they are well geared for the season adding that they have enough seed for maize , sorghum, sunflower, soyabeans, tobacco and cotton as well as enough fertilizers.

He said currently there were shortages of millets but they are working with other stakeholders to rectify the situation.

AFC Holdings Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Francis Macheka indicated that they are ready to support farmers adding that they have around 35 combine harvesters and enough tractors on the ground to assist farmers all the provinces.

“The target is to do 35 000 ha of crop but we can go beyond this if we get the correct farmers. In the winter crop we have done 10 000ha so on the current winter crop we are on 17 000 ha which we are to harvest. We are prepared for our farmers. Every farmer we fund must pay back our loans,”he said.

Crop life Zimbabwe Agrochemical Association Chairperson Ms Mazvita Shumba indicated that there were enough chemicals in stock to supply farmers.

‘’We are very much prepared in terms of inputs for the season, especially on pest management and weed management. 

“We are looking at over three million litres of products to be supplied to our farmers from a herbicide perspective as well as insecticide perspective so this year gives you a picture of commitment financially. As an industry we do invest in ensuring that farmers get yields that they deserve during the season,’’ she said.

Agriculture is also key in the pursuit of growth of the rural economy as the sector is up to four times more powerful at reducing poverty than any other sector. In fact, agriculture is the Vision 2030 accelerator; meaning getting agriculture right presents great opportunities for inclusive rural industrialization, transformation and economic development.