The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND is targeting to put 9 000 hectares under winter wheat following assurances from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) that the major water reservoirs in the province have enough water to sustain the irrigation of the cereal crop.
This comes as agronomists in the province have expressed concern that this season’s wheat hectarage could be lower as a result of the poor rains received this year.
Wheat is highly sensitive to moisture deficits, especially during the critical phases of heading, flowering and early grain-fill, hence the wide usage of irrigation in its production.
This makes uninterrupted water and power supply indispensable ingredients in wheat production.
Wheat irrigation has to be done on scheduled times to avoid withering of the crop, which compromises both the quality and quantity of the yield.
Provincial Agritex officer, Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa said they have so far identified 8 700 hectares for the cereal crop,
A total of 6 600ha will be under the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme, CBZ Agro-Yield, the Food Crop Contractors Association and Pfumvudza.
“We gave the list of farmers to ZINWA so that they give us assurance that the water reservoirs in the identified areas can sustain to irrigate the crop. They have indicated that areas around Osborne Dam and Rusape have no challenges as the water reservoirs there harnessed adequate water during the rainy period,” said Mrs Rwambiwa.
This year’s rainy season started late, and had two prolonged dry spells in December and February.
The season was largely characterised by limited, scarce and unreliable rainfall concentrated during a short rainy period stretching from mid-December to end of January, with the remaining period mostly dry. ZINWA catchment manager for Save Catchment, Engineer Tendai Muyambo allayed the fears of irrigation water shortages, saying the dams have sufficient water to irrigate the cereal crop.
“I am sure we can sustain wheat production because almost all our dams are at the same level as last year.
“Our major dams are at good levels for winter wheat to be grown. We just need to remind farmers to have water agreements with us to ensure enough supply for the season,” said Eng Muyambo.
Agronomist, Mr Ivan Craig urged farmers to exploit the current wet spell to maximise wheat production.
“The coming of these rains is a blessing because it will increase the water in the rivers, dams, and boreholes, which will enable farmers to continue production, particularly on the wheat crop.
“The rains have helped farmers by softening the soil so that they can do winter plough, and be in a position to retain this moisture to benefit in the next season. Once we retain this moisture, next season we will be able to start early,” said Mr Craig.
“The rains have help us in the establishment of the early planted wheat. When farmers plant wheat on damp soil, they save on irrigation – that is the electricity and water charges – thereby reducing production costs.
“The only challenge we might have if we continue to have these rains is that it will affect the wheat tilling. Wheat requires a dry spell of 21 days to give it the chance to harden and develop good rooting system,” he said.
Mr Craig said farmers who use the broadcasting method will require 120kgs to 130kgs of seeds per hectare, while those drilling need 110kgs to 120kgs per hectare.
“These seeding rates should give the farmer leeway to achieve the right planting population of 250 000 to 300 000 plants per hectare, which will give us the expected yield per unit area,” he said.
At national level, Government is this year supporting the production of 75 000 hectares of wheat with an estimated yield of 384 000 metric tonnes in a strategic bid to cut the import bill of the cereal grain, which has over the years been draining millions in foreign currency from the country.
Zimbabwe needs about 400 000 metric tonnes of the cereal crop every year. Wheat is one of the most strategic crops after maize.
