Marondera (New Ziana) – Mashonaland East province has set a winter wheat target of 9 773 hectares, an increase from 9 237 hectares for last season.
Countrywide, the government has set a target of 75 000 hectares, to produce 360 000 tonnes of wheat to meet national demand.
Zimbabwe requires 360 000 tonnes of wheat every year.
Mashonaland East provincial Agritex manager, Leonard Munamati told New Ziana that the region was confident of meeting the target.
“As Mashonaland East, we have a target to put 9 773 hectares under winter wheat and we are in the process of identifying farmers who will be involved in the whole programme,” he said.
“As Agritex, we are not envisaging any winter maize because all efforts will be towards ensuring that enough wheat is produced for the country. We will check for the availability of fertilizers, chemicals and wheat seed as well to promote good agricultural practices by farmers.
“We are working closely with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and the irrigation department to verify the farmers’ state of preparedness with regards to water availability and irrigation infrastructure,” he said.
Winter wheat farming is supported by programmes such as the Presidential Wheat Scheme, the CBZ Agro Yield, the AFC Land Bank and individual farmers.
The crop is grown entirely under irrigation, and the production period is between the months of May and October, with Marondera and Goromonzi regarded as the highest producing districts in Mashonaland East province.
New Ziana
