Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
MATABELELAND North has reported a successful winter wheat harvest exceeding targets set for the season as farmers commence the cereal crop harvesting. The province cultivated an impressive 2 500 hectares of wheat, a success attributed to thorough planning and coordinated government support.
Farmers received essential agricultural inputs promptly from the government, coupled with crucial partnerships that facilitated the sharing of knowledge and resources, enabling timely planting.
“We thank the government for making sure we got inputs on time. This helped us to also plant on time. Whenever we get our inputs at the correct time, we can beat the deadline and we thank the government for taking that into consideration,” a farmer said.
The government has expressed satisfaction as the harvest begins.
“This year, due to inputs and other critical joint ventures which gave a lot of support to our farmers, we got a good winter wheat crop, which we planted from April to June. We have started harvesting our first batch and so far, we have done 110 hectares, and our yield is just great at seven tonnes per hectare,” Matabeland North Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services Acting Provincial Director, Mr Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu noted.
“We want to thank the President and the Ministry of Agriculture. Inputs and all support were given to the farmers on time. President Mnangagwa gave our province two combine harvesters which the farmers are already using in their harvesting,” Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Richard Moyo added.
The success of the winter wheat crop in Matabeleland North is largely credited to the government’s commitment to agricultural support. Additionally, substantial joint venture initiatives, such as those in Bubi-Lupane and Arda Jotsholo, have played a critical role in enhancing both provincial and national food security.
