Beverly Bizeki
Masvingo province is targeting to harvest at least 2.5 tonnes of wheat per hectare giving a total of about 5 490 000 million tonnes from the 2 196 hectares (ha) planted this year.
Masvingo province Crop and Livestock officer Aaron Muchazivepi said the winter wheat harvest is already underway with over 50 ha already harvested.
“Harvesting has already started and more than 50 ha have already been harvested in the province. We are encouraging all wheat farmers to start harvesting mature crops as there are rampages of fires destroying fields.
“We are expecting all farmers that have produced wheat to deliver to GMB as this will buttress our food security and also meet our requirements as a nation with regards to wheat production and provision of wheat for confectionary purposes. We are mobilizing combine harvesters so that farmers can harvest their crops earlier since we are looking forward to a better season this coming rain season,” said Muchazivepi.
As the summer season is approaching, the department is targeting to plant 255 000 ha of maize crops.
Pfumvudza farmers are expected to benefit from the presidential input scheme soon to be distributed after the National Pfumvudza launch.
“The input distribution for the season will be based according to agro ecological regions with regions 4 and 5 focusing on traditional grains. The province is expected to plant 80 000 ha of sorghum and 10 000 ha of finger millet. We are also encouraging farmers to grow sunflowers and cotton,” said Muchazivepi.
Meanwhile government through the ministry of Lands Agriculture Water, Fisheries and Rural Development has already gazzetted the wheat prices for this farming season.
The ministry is paying ZW$ 268 048 and US $220 for premium grade wheat per tonne while the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) will be paying ZW$ 243 680 and US $200 per tonne for other grades.
