Story by Providence Maraneli
MATABELELAND South province has set a target of putting 3 500 hectares under wheat this winter season, with major dams in the region having reached full capacity following a successful rainy season.
With 90% of the province’s key water sources supplying irrigation schemes now full, preparations for the winter cropping season are progressing smoothly.
Agriculture stakeholders attending the provincial winter wheat preparedness Indaba in Gwanda this Tuesday agreed that the favourable conditions provide a strong foundation for high wheat yields.
“Our dams that supply water to the irrigation schemes spilt which is good news for the province, I can confidently say that we have the water to cover all the 3 500 hectares that we want as a province,” ZINWA’s Mzingwane Catchment Manager, Engineer Albert Manyeka said.
“We urge all the farmers to take heed of the government’s call to utilise all the land that is close to water for wheat production,” the Acting Deputy Director for Agritex, Mr Bhekilizwe Ncube said.
“We have 49 tractors that are ready to assist the province in land preparation and planting of winter wheat,” Mr Victor Gumbi from the Department of Mechanisation said.
Farmers from various irrigation schemes in the province who attended the Indaba urged critical departments like ZESA and ZINWA to prioritise irrigation schemes so that the province may achieve its target in line with the country’s Vision 2030.
“May I applaud the drive by the government through its departments, to see to it that the wheat nationally has been planted and harvested which is in line with the country’s Vision 2030. Irrigation schemes like Silalatshani and many more dedicated their time to align with the vision and complying with the need to sell to GMB,” Ms Sakhile Moyo from the Zimbabwe Farmers Union said.
Matabeleland South province is targeting to plant 3 500 hectares of winter wheat with private players also being urged to support the provincial target.
“As Matabeleland South, we received adequate rains and we want to utilise this chance. My appeal is that we all put our hands together and use the expertise in the province so that we bring the 3 500 hectares. We think we can exceed because we have enough water, we can do much better than 3 500,” ARDAS Matabeleland South Director, Dr Shupikai Sibanda said.
The government is mobilising requisite resources for winter wheat production at a time when the country is anticipating a bumper harvest from the 2024/25 summer cropping season.
“I call upon all the stakeholders to facilitate a smooth wheat growing period by the timely provision of electricity, inputs, water and strategic extension capacity building sessions. As a region, we should commence early and plant within the window so that we can attain maximum yield and quality,” Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said.
For a province that has seen a massive revitalisation of defunct irrigation schemes like Silalatshani, Makwe, Mankonkoni, Sebasa, Masholomoshe and Tshikwalakwala, availing of critical resources like electricity, water and expertise may turn the once dry region into a green belt as the country envisages an upper middle-income society by 2030.
