Story by Tendai Munengwa
AS preparations for the winter wheat season intensify, the government has assured farmers of the availability of inputs, which are accessible through the Agricultural Rural Development Authority (ARDA) joint venture and Presidential input schemes.
With the agriculture calendar now taking a transition from summer to the winter cropping season, the government has put in motion several input support schemes for farmers to achieve the 2025 national wheat target.
The inputs will be availed under the ARDA joint venture scheme for those who have acquired title deeds under the Presidential Scheme launched last year.
Smallholder farmers without title deeds can access the inputs under the Presidential Inputs Scheme.
“We have rolled out the winter wheat plan which was approved by the cabinet,” Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri said.
“The inputs are readily available in the country but interestingly, ARDA has been mandated to plant 60 000 hectares which is almost half our national target. Starting this season, all farmers who intend to have ARDA JVs should have title deeds, so it takes only three days to secure that, our farmers A1 and A2 who wish to get inputs from ARDA must apply and get the deeds.
ARDA board chairperson, Mr Ivan Craig emphasised the need for farmers to plan their hectarage in line with volumes of water tables in their dams.
“Our summer crop is drying up and we should plan accordingly. ARDA joint venture is now on with our teams together with Agritex officers already on the ground to identify potential farmers to plant 60 000 hectares targeting to produce 300 000 metric tonnes.”
The government is targeting to put 120 000 hectares under wheat, while 15 000 hectares will be put under potatoes and barley during this winter cropping season.
