Story by Aifheli Mudau
THE Government has started moving seed and fertiliser to various Grain Marketing Board depots in wheat production areas under the Presidential Inputs Programme as preparations for winter wheat production gather momentum.
With barely a week left for winter wheat farmers to start planting, the government has encouraged all farmers in wheat production areas to start planting on May 1.
During and engagement between farmers and various stakeholders in Bulawayo this Tuesday, farmers revealed that they are more than ready to till the land.
“I am a farmer at Redwood Irrigation in Umguza district and we have since received financial support from the government for us to buy fuel and other requirements. We are prepared for the season and we are ready to start, but I understand Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) is saying we should come and register with them for our Water use which I think should not hinder farmers’ programmes,” a wheat farmer said.
ZINWA has reassured farmers that there is enough water for their farming activities and also took the opportunity to encourage farmers to register for water abstraction.
“The percentage of dam levels is higher as compared to this time of the year last year, meaning there is enough water for our farmers. However, let me also encourage farmers to come and register their water use with the Authority,” ZINWA Communications Manager, Marjorie Munyonga said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 65th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri said everything is in place to assist farmers with various inputs including fertiliser and seed.
“We have enough seed under the Presidential Inputs Programme and we have started moving them to the various GMB depots in the wheat production areas and we expect farmers for winter wheat to start planting by May first because those are the economic dates,” Professor Jiri said.
The engagement brought together stakeholders in the winter Crop value chain as the government continues to lift communities from poverty under the Rural Development 8.0 model for the attainment of Vision 2030.
