Masvingo Province targets 5 000h wheat

Date:

NYASHADZAISHE RUSHWAYA

MASVINGO-Masvingo Province has set an ambitious target of 5 000 hectares to be put under winter wheat, which is a big jump from last season’s 2 100 hectares.

Last year the province contributed 10 500 tons of wheat to the nation from the 2 100 hectares put under irrigation for the winter crop producing an average of 5 tons per hectare and this year the target is 25 000 tons against the 400 000 tons expected from the whole country.

The announcement was made during the Wheat Production Enhancement Seminar on May 16, at Mushandike Irrigation scheme officiated by the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira.

Chadzamira applauded farmers who have already started to plant the winter crop already for this new season.

 Acting Chief Director of the Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (ARDAS), Leonard Munamati, urged wheat farmers to exceed the 5 000 ha target in order to make the country self sufficient in flour production.

 Masvingo has eight large scale individual farmers, two institutions, and 56 irrigation schemes registered for the winter wheat crop.

In his key note address Chadzamira underscored the importance of wheat production in achieving food security and the need for collaboration between farmers, the government, and stakeholders to achieve the set targets.

To support the ambitious goal, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MOLAFWRD) will provide farmers with technical assistance, certified seeds, and farming equipment. Additionally, irrigation infrastructure will be enhanced to ensure adequate water supply to the wheat fields.

The Masvingo Provincial Director for (ARDAS) Caleb Mahoya, expressed confidence in the province’s ability to meet the target.

“We are working closely with farmers and other stakeholders to ensure that we exceed the 5 000ha target,” he said.

“Our goal is to achieve wheat self-sufficiency and contribute to the country’s food security.”

As the winter wheat planting season is upon us, farmers in Masvingo are geared to achieve the ambitious target in the province that has the highest number of water bodies.

 The government’s support and the commitment of farmers will be crucial in the success of the 2024 winter wheat farming season.

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