Story by Tendai Munengwa
THE government has ring-fenced 150 megawatts for winter wheat production, up from 120 megawatts, to ensure adequate and uninterrupted power supply for the targeted 135 000 hectares of the cereal crop.
Responding to questions from journalists during a Post Cabinet Media Briefing in Harare this Tuesday, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka revealed that an inter-ministerial power working team has been appointed to establish wheat growing clusters to ensure uninterrupted power supply this season.
“We have increased the allocation of power for wheat production and we are working around the clock to ensure that we get GPS for all wheat farmers so that we ring-fence their electricity accordingly,” Dr Masuka said.
Dr Masuka also gave an update on the outstanding wheat payments.
“We are aware that farmers are yet to receive all their wheat payments and we want to assure them that the government is mobilising their outstanding balances. Out of US$43 million, we have paid over US$18 million and a balance of US$15 million is being mobilised,” he said.
To ensure the success of the 2025 Winter Wheat Plan, the government will closely monitor 21 critical enablers, including power, water, seed, fertiliser and fuel, while financial support enablers comprise farmer payments, finance, and insurance, with operational efficiency enablers consisting of mechanisation, coordination, contract farming and migratory measures for qualia birds, among others.
The government is targeting output of 600 000 metric tonnes of wheat this year.
