Story by Tamuka Charakupa
Government is on course to attaining the national winter wheat target of 600 000 metric tonnes as harvesting of the strategic crop is underway.
Farmers from across the country are harvesting their winter wheat crop, and one of the leading farmers in Mashonaland West Province, Mr Lincoln Chirinda, is grateful for government’s support.
He said, “I am very impressed with the joint venture we had with ARDA because we managed to get inputs on time and as such, matched the planting window. We have just started harvesting and we optimistic of averaging at least 5 tonnes and above per hectare.”
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka said the country is on course to meeting the target of 120 000 hectares.
“The President gave us a target of 120 000 hectares. We have done the final verification and what is standing and harvestable is 119 594 hectares, which is 97 percent of the target although the planting was above the 120 000, because of water and other issues, that land was lost. Mashonaland West province surpassed its 34 000 target and attained about 34 280 hectares, which is impressive.”
Meanwhile, Agriculture and Rural Development Authority’s chief executive officer, Mr Tinotenda Mhiko has expressed satisfaction with the success of joint ventures, adding that preparations for the upcoming summer cropping season are now at an advanced stage.
“We have at least 21 estates operating under ARDA which we want to plant this summer cropping season. In terms of joint ventures, over 50 percent have confirmed their partnership. We are impressed by the success rate of this year’s winter wheat joint ventures and we are looking forward to increased partnership in pursuit of the country’s food targets,” he said.
The Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Marian Chombo is impressed by the province’s performance ahead of the summer cropping season.
“This has come at a time when we as a province have started harvesting our wheat. The season was a mixture of good and bad fortunes. Having come from the El Nino season, most of our dams had not collected enough water to see the winter crop through and the worst affected district was Chegutu, where most of the farmers could not plant the wheat.
“The season started off well with a steady supply of power. However, as from the last week of August to this day, the level of load shedding has been very high. This was at a very critical stage when most of the crop was grain filling. Most farmers found it difficult to complete a cycle. We are however grateful for the quick response to faults by ZESA,” said Honourable Chombo.
The winter wheat bumper harvest is expected to play a key role in ensuring food security at a time the country is facing the El Nino-induced drought.
