The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
THE Presidential Inputs Scheme which is targeting small-holder farmers has drastically improved the uptake of the winter wheat programme in Manicaland.
The scheme is accounting for 50 percent of the targeted hectarage with beneficiaries receiving US$700 worth of inputs per hectare for free.
Farmers are being given Compound D, Ammonium Nitrate, wheat seed and chemicals for up to seven hectares.
This has pushed the winter uptake as the majority of farmers who had prepared their fields and registered under the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Schemes (NEAPS) – financed through the CBZ Agro-Yield and the AFC Bank – struggled to access loans.
Farmers were required to pay at least 70 percent of their previous loans and the majority of them found the going tough.
Manicaland Agritex head, Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa said farmers should take advantage of the remaining window period to fast-track planting to ensure the province reaches its target of 8 300 hectares.
Mrs Rwambiwa said Manicaland is behind schedule with hardly 2 500ha planted to date, against the 8 300ha target.
The sluggish start was attributed to the late disbursement of production inputs.
Wheat planting stretches from April to May 31, with May 15 as the optimal period for planting.
In past seasons, the planting window was extended to mid-June, but the crop ended up being damaged by summer rains.
The extension was also blamed for the reduction in yields.
“The area that has so far been prepared for planting is 6 000ha against the provincial target of 8 300ha, out of which the Presidential Inputs Scheme will cater for 4 000ha, while the rest will be under NEAPS and private funding,” said Mrs Rwambiwa.
“The Presidential Inputs Scheme is doing very well. In fact, the programme has pushed the actual uptake of the winter wheat programme as the farmers are getting inputs for free.
“However, when it comes to the NEAPS, most farmers have not paid what they owed the banks and therefore uptake is very low.
“As a result, when compared to the same period last season, we are lagging behind in terms of planting,” said Mrs Rwambiwa.
She also urged farmers to apply good agronomic practices to improve yields from the average of five tonnes per hectare attained last year.
Mrs Rwambiwa said the Agriculture Ministry will be monitoring farmers registered under the Presidential Inputs Scheme through IT systems for precision agriculture, including the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Geographical Information System (GIS).
The GPS and GIS systems are now available on the mobile phones and tablets being used by Agritex and private field officers.
The technology is set to transform agriculture through enhancing accuracy in field processes.
lt will also assist in debt recovery and curtailing delinquent behaviour among farmers.
Location data for farmers is collected by agronomists using GPS receivers to enable them to map field boundaries, roads, irrigation systems.
This data will also make it easier to identify areas plagued with crop and livestock diseases.
Mrs Rwambiwa said the major dams – Osborne, Rusape and Muchekeranwa, as well as other private ones – have enough water to support production.
She also said the recent hike in electricity charges will have a major impact on wheat production, adding that this calls for an upward review of the producer price.
“The impact will be felt across the economy, not only in agriculture. This means the producer price may also have to be revised upwards as the increase in electricity charges affects the cost of production,” she said.
Mr Trust Dengura of Grange Farm in Mutasa said he planted 7ha under the Presidential Inputs Scheme.
“Initially I had approached the bank, but did not get any joy as I was tossed from one office to another. I ended up joining the Presidential Inputs Scheme and got free inputs for 7ha. This programme has helped me realise my planting target, and as we speak, my AN fertiliser allocation is being processed,” he said.
Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union Manicaland coordinator, Mr Professor Mataruse said electricity prices and availability are critical for sustainable wheat production.
“Of late some farmers are complaining of power cuts. These affect irrigation cycles and lowers yields. Sustainable irrigation is critical, especially at tillering stage,” he said.
