By Marsha Sengwe
Bindura (New Ziana)-Mashonaland Central province’s winter wheat farmers have planted 30 240ha of the cereal crop exceeding their target by at least two percent.
Initially, the province had a 28 000ha target for this season, 10 000more hectares than last year.
According to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development’s Mashonaland Central Director, Nhamo Mudada the achievements were due to solid government, farmers, and financiers’ dedication.
He called farmers engaged in the growing of the cereal crop to take advantage of extension officers within their wards for advice.
Winter wheat farming is done by farmers with reliable water sources and irrigation systems.
According to Director Mudada, water security is currently a problem to these farmers, though to a little extent.
He said the ministry working with other sister government departments, agencies and ministries were however working on improving the provision of water through Mazowe River, the main source of irrigation water in Mashonaland Central.
“Mazowe river siltation is affecting water availability for irrigation; however, this is being worked on and it will soon be overcome, power supply is fair, inputs are moving in to finalise plantings,” he said.
Planting was allowed up to mid-June with the national target being 120 000ha up from 91 000ha planted last year and season.
The 91 000ha saw about 465 000tones of wheat being harvested at the end of the season.
Last season farmers country wide planted 91 000ha and produced 465 000 tones.
Zimbabweans are optimistic that this year’s winter wheat production will help boost food security following various interventions made by Government to boost a record harvest.
Director Mudada is however appealing to farmers to continue to seek agronomic advice from extension officers “as we now concentrate on making sure that all the germinated crop produce the desired yields by the end of the season.”
“Farmers must quickly report any quelea they see hovering around the fields to the migratory pest scientist dotted in all the wards.
“The threshold of 10 birds and above flying together must be reported. The ministry together with partners like national parks is ready to effect any control measures deemed necessary,” he said.
New Ziana