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| Winter wheat produced at minister Marapira’s farm last year |
…minister Marapira takes lead in Masvingo
TellZim Reporter
With wheat being one of the most imported commodities in the
country drawing the much needed foreign currency from treasury, the government
has moved to cut the expenditure by targeting 80 000 hectares of land across
the country to be put under winter wheat production.
country drawing the much needed foreign currency from treasury, the government
has moved to cut the expenditure by targeting 80 000 hectares of land across
the country to be put under winter wheat production.
The 80 000 hectares have the capacity to produce in excess
of 415 000 metric tonnes of wheat with the country needing about 400 000 metric
tonnes per year.
of 415 000 metric tonnes of wheat with the country needing about 400 000 metric
tonnes per year.
Launching the winter wheat programme at Masvingo North legislator
and minister of State in Vice President Kembo Mohadi’s office Davison Marapira’s Mighty Lamotte Farm, the deputy minister of
Lands Douglas Karoro said that the country has the capacity to produce enough
wheat and stop imports.
and minister of State in Vice President Kembo Mohadi’s office Davison Marapira’s Mighty Lamotte Farm, the deputy minister of
Lands Douglas Karoro said that the country has the capacity to produce enough
wheat and stop imports.
“We are encouraging wheat production in the country. The government
is targeting 80 000 hectares across the country to be put under wheat this
winter.
is targeting 80 000 hectares across the country to be put under wheat this
winter.
“The 80 000 hectares can produce about 415 000 metric tonnes
of wheat which will be more than enough to sustain the whole country which
needs about 400 000 metric tonnes a year.
of wheat which will be more than enough to sustain the whole country which
needs about 400 000 metric tonnes a year.
“If we are successful it means we will not import wheat
again and the money can be used on other developmental initiatives,” said
Karoro.
again and the money can be used on other developmental initiatives,” said
Karoro.
He said that farmers must make sure that they put their and
to good use and emphasised that the government will not hesitate to repossess
idle land.
to good use and emphasised that the government will not hesitate to repossess
idle land.
Marapira said that he is only limiting himself to 60
hectares of winter wheat due to water challenges but has the potential to do
more.
hectares of winter wheat due to water challenges but has the potential to do
more.
“Wheat is one of the things this country is importing and as
farmers we are encouraged to step up and make sure that we provide enough wheat
for the country.
farmers we are encouraged to step up and make sure that we provide enough wheat
for the country.
“Because of water challenges we are only going to do 60
hectares of winter wheat on this farm but we have the potential to do more. Farmers
must make sure that they put their land to good use and if they do not have the
capacity they must excuse themselves for producers.
hectares of winter wheat on this farm but we have the potential to do more. Farmers
must make sure that they put their land to good use and if they do not have the
capacity they must excuse themselves for producers.
“We must not import wheat when we have huge tracts of land
which we can put to good use,” said Marapira.
which we can put to good use,” said Marapira.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Ezra
Chadzamira said that Masvingo has the potential to feed the whole country if
farmers step up and fully utilise their land.
Chadzamira said that Masvingo has the potential to feed the whole country if
farmers step up and fully utilise their land.
