Bubi-Lupane winter wheat thriving
Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
FARMERS at the 180-hectare winter wheat crop at Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme are anticipating a good harvest of between 5 and 6 tonnes per hectare as the country targets 420 000 metric tonnes this year.
Planted on three plots covering a total of 180 hectares, the flourishing winter wheat crop at the irrigation scheme is watered by three centre pivots.
As the farmers look forward to crop maturity, there is huge anticipation of a good harvest amid indications an output of five to six tonnes per hectare will be realised.
The 100 households, who have each been taking over US$3 000 in dividends, have been receiving a lot of capacity building from the government.
The day of harvesting is beckoning, and the farmers say this year’s crop has been a major success.
“We are happy, everything went well this season again. We are looking to stop watering next month then we wait for the crop to be ready for harvesting. This is another successful season for us and we did not encounter any challenges at all,” said one of the irrigation members.
The wheat crop is expected to feed into this year’s national target of 420 000 metric tonnes, as the country looks to consolidate wheat self-sufficiency and export the surplus.
Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Scheme was revived by the government through the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) three years ago.
Now a flagship template for other irrigation schemes around the country, the Bubi Lupane scheme has transformed subsistence agriculture into commercial production as part of the rural development and industrialisation agenda.
