Govt support measures lift wheat targets

GOVERNMENT support measures helped farmers exceed the target of putting 75 000 hectares under wheat by more than 3 000 hectares, an achievement that is likely to produce a record crop that will make Zimbabwe wheat self-sufficient.

The bulk of the crop is reportedly in good condition across the country.

This year’s record hectarage represents a significant improvement from the 66 000 hectares that were put under the cereal last year, which was the third-largest hectarage after independence.

Zimbabwe is projected to produce between 350 000 to 400 000 tonnes of wheat to achieve self-sufficiency and offset shortages caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict that has spawned global shortages.

Zimbabwe requires an estimated 400 000 tonnes of wheat annually.

The winter wheat programme is being supported by CBZ, AFC Bank, the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme, as well as private-sector initiatives and self-funded farmers.

A new report obtained from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development shows that the planted area as at July 8 stood at 78 354ha, which is 4 percent above this season’s target.

Farmers in Mashonaland West province planted the most hectarage at 27 714ha against a target of 25 480ha.

Over 32 000 farmers registered for wheat production this season under different facilities. According to the report, the bulk of the crop is in good condition.

“In Matabeleland North and Mashonaland East, the condition of the crop is fair to good and the crop stage ranges from tillering to shooting,” it reads.

“The bulk of the crop in the Midlands province is at tillering stage and the condition is fair, while in Masvingo the crop stages range from early vegetative to tillering. The condition of the crop in Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland South is good and the bulk of the crop is at the jointing stage.

“Planting of winter wheat has tailed off in all provinces.”

Reports of quelea birds’ movement have been submitted to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) in Matabeleland South.

This comes as the department of migratory pests and biosecurity control in the Ministry of Lands has stepped up efforts to ward off threats caused by the pests.

Quelea birds have been sighted in Glendale, Mashonaland Central province; Kwekwe, Midlands province; and Chitomborwizi and Chakari in Mashonaland West province.

Bird control teams are being mobilised to move into these areas.

“We use Fenthion 640 ULV in quelea control, usually sprayed in breeding or roosting sites, reducing populations of the problem bird to levels that do not cause economic losses to our farmers,” said the department.

“Recently, breeding grounds in low veld — Muzarabani, Pandamatenga and Chiredzi areas — have seen increased numbers of spray operations, reducing impact of the birds on small grains, while ensuring that reduced populations migrate to wheat-growing areas during this winter season.”

Adequate stocks of Fenthion, the department added, had been secured, while more chemicals are being procured in preparation for summer wheat and small grain crops production.