By Marshia Mutambi
Marondera – As the winter wheat planting season progresses, Mashonaland East farmers have hit the ground running and are working hard to meet their quota as a province.
With 917 hectares planted to date, the province has made a promising start, reaching about 4 percent of its planting target. This early progress offers a glimpse of the potential for a fruitful season ahead, inspiring optimism for the agricultural landscape.
In terms of district performance, Goromonzi leads with the highest planting percentage at 2.7 percent, followed by Marondera at 0.7 percent and Hwedza at 0.5 percent. These statistics highlight areas of concentrated effort while also indicating where additional support could further boost planting initiatives.
Several factors are influencing the planting rates among local farmers, with one notable issue being the timing of input disbursements, which has been slower than usual.
In an interview with Chaminuka, Agriculture and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) acting deputy director for Mashonaland East, Tetiwe Mupakwe said: “Timely access to agricultural inputs is essential for successful planting. There is hope that implementing stop order facilities for tillage payments could ease financial pressures on farmers, enabling them to invest in their crops with confidence.
“Water availability also plays a crucial role in planting success. While low water levels in local sources present challenges, addressing this issue will be vital for expanding wheat cultivation. The importance of timely payments from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) is also highlighted, as prompt support can strengthen farmers’ financial stability.”
Reflecting on last year’s achievements, the province set a target of 21 000 hectares for winter wheat planting and surpassed this goal, reaching 21 987 hectares.
This positive outcome underscores the potential for continued growth in the sector, even as the current season presents its own set of challenges.
For the ongoing season, the target has been set at 22 500 hectares. With 917 hectares already planted, there is still a considerable distance to cover, with 21,583 hectares remaining to meet the target.
Mupakwe encouraged farmers to accelerate their efforts as the season progresses, fostering a spirit of determination and collaboration.
In a nutshell, while there are hurdles to overcome, the current status of wheat planting in Mashonaland East reflects both challenges and bright opportunities ahead. By addressing issues related to input availability, tillage services, water access, and financial support, the region can continue to build on its agricultural successes, enhancing wheat production for a promising future.
