The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
GOVERNMENT, in partnership with the private sector, is targeting to plant at least 75 000 hectares of winter wheat this season with an estimated yield of 384 000 metric tonnes, which will be enough to satisfy the country’s flour requirements.
This was said by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr John Basera in an interview with The Manica Post Business recently.
The national annual wheat requirement is about 360 000 metric tonnes and over the years, Zimbabwe has been relying on imports to cover the deficit.
Last year, the country put 66 435ha under wheat.
Dr Basera said small-holder and subsistence farmers will be roped to boost wheat production.
“Government is launching several programmes in line with import substitution. Our aim is to reach flour self-sufficiency through growing enough wheat locally. It is very important for us because the nation will be able to save foreign currency and use that money in other sectors to expand our industries.
“This year’s theme is attaining flour self-sufficient at all costs, especially considering what is happening in Russia and Ukraine who are the major producers of wheat. The situation there may disrupt global supplies.
“Our target this season is 75 000ha and this will be achieved through Government-led programmes such as the Pfumvudza Presidential Inputs Scheme where we are targeting irrigation schemes and small-holder farmers.
“We will avail inputs for up to three hectares. It is a lifeline support to small-holder farmers. We are targeting 5 500ha of wheat under Pfumvudza.
“Under the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme which targets commercial farmers, we are working with the private sector, including local banks. CBZ Agro-Yields is targeting about 39 000ha while AFC is targeting about 10 000ha.
“The Food Crop Contractors Association, which is made up of six companies, have plans to finance 23 000ha.
“For the past three years we have achieved success with the private sector. Their support has been rising with each passing year. In 2020, they did 8 000ha, 2021 (17 000ha) and this year they are financing 23 000ha,” said Dr Basera.
“You will discover that under National Development Strategy (NDS1) and Vision 2030, we are looking at cross-cutting issues which will make us achieve a middle income economy. This include private sector participation.
“For the past three years, private sector participation in agriculture has been encouraging.
“The private sector has warmed up to Government programmes that promote import substitution.
“We have a policy position that all companies that use agricultural inputs or raw materials should ensure that they produce at least 40 percent of their annual requirements locally, thereby supporting local farmers in the process.
“We need to end the appetite for imports. Improved agricultural productivity is key in the country’s industrialisation agenda. The import gap will be covered by the partnership between Government and the private sector through contract farming,” said Dr Basera.
Headlands farmer, Mr Farai Mapfumo said farmers have a huge task to fill the void that may be created because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict this season.
He called on Government to monitor the costs of production to ensure that farmers fully exploit their potential in wheat farming.
“Some of our wheat comes from Ukraine and Russia and there are likely to be disruptions due to the conflict between the two countries.
“As farmers, we have to cover up that deficit, but for that to be achieved, Government has to look at ways of addressing production costs.
“Farmers need to be cushioned on production costs so that they are able to fill our national reserves,” said Mr Mapfumo.
