Govt targets 225 000 tonnes of wheat output

12 Jun, 2018 - 15:06 0 Views
Govt targets 225 000 tonnes of wheat output

eBusiness Weekly

Zimbabwe’s winter wheat output is expected to beat the 200 000 metric tonne mark despite a 31 percent slump in hectarage, to reach 225 000 toones, a top Government official has said.

Farmers planted 45 000 hectares of wheat instead of the targeted 67 000 hectares due to a prolonged summer season which delayed harvesting, coupled with late distribution of inputs.

Although Government reduced projected total wheat output downwards to 225 000 metric tonnes, from 240 000 metric tonnes, high yields are expected in the season driven by adequate and consistent supply of water and electricity.

“We had initially a target output of 200 000 tonnes, but having seen the amount of resources coming through we increased the target to above 240 000 metric tonnes,” Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Davison Marapira told BH24, adding “However, due to prolonging of the summer season, late distribution of inputs and late preparations we could reach the target.”

“Essentially, what’s more important is that we are having an excellent crop around the country.

We are expecting an improvement in yields to five tonnes per hectare from the previously projected yield of four tonnes per hectare due to constant electricity and water supply thus far. Therefore, we expect an output of above 225 000 metric tonnes.

“We can take pride in reaching out our reaching out our initial output target of 200 000 metric tonnes,” Deputy Minister Marapira said.

Farmers with an early planted crop were warned against frost and qualia birds which could damage the crop and reduce yields last season with maize production has now been expanded to include winter wheat, with thousands of farmers having planted the irrigated crop.

Farmers were provided with the all inputs, as was the case with maize.

Upon harvesting, farmers will be expected to deliver an agreed tonnage to the Grain Marketing Board as repayment for the loan advanced to them in the form of inputs such as wheat seed, fertilisers, chemicals and tillage services.

Various farmers with irrigation infrastructure have in the past failed to grow wheat because of lack of financial resources to buy the inputs, a gap that Government has bridged through Command Agriculture and specifically command winter wheat production.

Private sector companies ploughed close to $100 million into this year’s wheat crop.

Sakunda, National Foods, Northern Farming Company, Stay Well Company and CBZ Bank have committed to supporting cultivation of winter wheat.

CBZ has budgeted $10 million for lending at interest rates of between 10 and 12 percent.

Experts say if Zimbabwe ups production to more than 200 000 tonnes, it will cut the import bill by $70 million.

On average, the country spends $100 million yearly on flour imports.

Government buys wheat at $500 per tonne, while private buyers offer between $360 and $380 per tonne.

About $1 500 is needed to produce one hectare of wheat in winter, which is the best production season for the grain in Zimbabwe.

 

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