Zvimba farmers ready for winter wheat

FARMERS in Zvimba district contracted under the Command Winter Wheat agriculture programme have expressed their readiness to plant the crop in time.

In Banket, farmers under the Hunyani Farm Co- operative are expediting harvesting their summer crop of maize and soyabean in preparation for the season.

There are, however, concerns of high moisture content in the harvested maize.

“I have already started harvesting my maize so that I can prepare my fields for wheat. The moisture content for my maize is at 26 percent, but will make use of driers before taking it to the Grain Marketing Board,” Mr Lewis Nyamushamba said.

He said he had already received inputs for the winter season.

“Unlike in the previous season, this year’s allocations are being done smoothly and swift ly which is an indication that we are likely to double our production,” he said.

“We also plead with Government to subsidise our electricity bills so that we don’t face any challenges.”

However, wheat production is perennially affected by power shortages.

Zimbabwe Famers’ Union vice president Mr Berean Mukwende urged Government to subsidise electricity bills for wheat farmers.

He said Zimbabwe’s electricity tariffs are high compared to other countries in the region while the high cost of energy made it difficult for the farmers to compete on the international market.