Story by Mercy Bofu
THE Government has implored farmers to expedite wheat harvesting before the onset of the rains to avoid losses, as the country targets 420 000 metric tonnes of the crop this year.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Ezra Chadzamira is leading by example in supporting the agriculture sector, having put up nearly 40 hectares under wheat at his Cresta of Ibeka farm.
Harvesting of the crop is underway, with five tonnes per hectare being targeted.
“It is our duty as citizens to support the development of our country. Here at Cresta of Ibeka, we do a number of agriculture initiatives including wheat farming. We are already harvesting and delivering our crop to the Grain Marketing Board,” said the Minister.
Other smallholder farmers who attended a field day at Cresta of Ibeka farm are grateful to the government for supporting their agriculture enterprises.
The government has challenged farmers to wind up harvesting their crops before the onset of the rains.
“We are saying to our farmers, let’s harvest our wheat before the rains. As you are aware, there might be rains this coming season. Again as a government, we are working on ensuring there are enough combine harvesters countrywide,” said the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri.
The government is on record that grains’ self-sufficiency and export of surplus is high on the agenda as the country targets 420 thousand metric tonnes of wheat this year.
