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2020-21 season shines brightly

05 Mar, 2021 - 00:03 0 Views
2020-21 season shines brightly

The ManicaPost

Samuel Kadungure

Senior Reporter

THE 2020-21 farming season is poised to produce the best summer crops ever as most areas across the country received significant rains.

Manicaland put 253 000 hectares under maize, of which most of it has reached maturity stage.

Most of the maize crop was planted under the Pfumvudza and Command Agriculture programmes, with Government being commended for the sponsored schemes aimed at reviving agriculture, improving farmers’ economic and food security conditions.

Manicaland Provincial Agritex officer, Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa, said the province is on course to attain its target as the bulk of the crop has reached the critical maturity stage.

Farmers told The Manica Post early this week that this cropping season is “the mother of all agricultural seasons”.

Mr Shepard Nyika, who planted 314 hectares under maize, said agriculture is the wisest pursuit for anyone.

“It is an eventful season with broadly positive results for farmers. We have the best crop in history,” said Mr Nyika, adding that investing in agriculture is the best way to end hunger.

He said Zimbabwe will soon regain its status as Africa’s breadbasket.

“Youths need to appreciate that life and health are unconceivable without agriculture. It is the mother of all industries and the basis for a stable economy, safety and security of any nation. A secure food supply is critical for a thriving nation,” said Mr Nyika.

Ms Margret Muchingami of Headlands said Government and Rural District Councils (RDCs) must swiftly repair roads for easy delivery of produce to the market.

She said the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) must establish collection points in villages and ensure that farmers are paid on delivery.

“Our roads are bad and need urgent rehabilitation, otherwise farmers will have serious challenges accessing the market. Incessant rains damaged the entire rural road infrastructure,” she said. 

GMB chief executive officer, Mr Ronnie Mutenga, said farmers will be paid within 72 hours of delivery of their grain.

The maize producer price is currently pegged at $32 000 per tonne.

“We are reviewing our modalities and will ensure that farmers get paid within 72 hours,” he said.

Farmers also appealed for the deployment of combine harvesters and maize driers to districts. Meanwhile, tobacco farming, which used to be a preserve for a few commercial farmers, is now popular, with many in communal areas partaking in this lucrative enterprise to transform their lives. 

Mrs Patience Mushore-Chizodza of Ethical Leaf Tobacco which sponsors 1000 farmers in the province said tobacco growers have high quality crop.

Manicaland planted 17 000ha and some growers are expecting five tonnes per hectare. “In Manicaland, we are anticipating 1, 5 million kilogrammes of high-value tobacco, and 7 million kgs at national level,” she said.

Tobacco is the country’s largest foreign currency earner after gold, with exports raking in US$736 million in 2020.

Preparations for the 2021 tobacco marketing season are at an advanced stage, with growers demanding 80 percent foreign currency retention.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union director, Mr Paul Zakariya, said farmers are expecting better prices and payment modalities.

“With the good rains, the leaf size and quality is amazing and farmers expect better income. 

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has been engaged to improve payment modalities since the bulk of the crop was bought at 1:25 last season and a lot of value was lost due to exchange rate losses. Farmers need forex retention of 80:20 in line with the rising costs of inputs, spares and labour,” he said.

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