Winter wheat preps gather momentum

REGISTRATION of farmers to grow wheat in Mashonaland West province this winter season is underway, as preparations gather momentum.

This comes amid calls for more farmers with irrigation facilities and access to water to grow wheat this season to reduce the country’s import bill.

Farmer organisations have called on Government to guarantee uninterrupted power supply during the winter season.

In an interview, Mashonaland West provincial Agritex officer Mrs Siyena Makaza said preparations of the season were already underway.

“Preparations for the winter wheat crop are already underway with some farmers still coming through to register. We would however, want to encourage farmers with access of water to venture into wheat farming and horticulture,” she said.

Farmers with access to water, she said, should start to plough.

In an interview recently, Zimbabwe National Farmers Union chief executive Mr Edward Dune said pre-planting price announcement would go a long way in assisting farmers to plan.

“Wheat farmers should have an assurance that power supply will be constant to guarantee irrigation. Wheat success story revolves around fundamentals such as availability of power. Any interruption to supplies disturbs the efficiency of production resulting in compromised yields,” said Mr Dune.

Farmers are expected to wrap up preparations for the crop by end of April ahead of the traditional planting deadline of May 15.