The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND is yet to meet its set winter wheat target, with 3 500 hectares out of 9 500ha having been planted as the planting window winds down on May 31.
More farmers received inputs this week under the Presidential Inputs Programme, which so far accounts for more than half of the planted area.
Apart from the Presidential Inputs Programme, some farmers are getting assistance from private contractors, as well as the AFC Bank and CBZ Bank under the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme (NEAPS).
The Agriculture and Rural Development Agency (Arda) is also assisting in turning irrigation schemes into wheat greenbelts in line with Government’s policy.
Arda is supporting about 10 of Manicaland’s irrigation schemes with inputs.
It, however, remains to be seen whether the set target will be attained by the close of the planting window.
Timing of planting has a major effect on the yield, and for a winter wheat crop, early planting in May is advisable as yields decrease with late planting. Missing the planting dates will compromise yields.
Manicaland provincial agronomist, Mr Cephas Mlambo said planting may be extended to mid-June to achieve the set target.
“So far 3 500ha have been planted against the provincial target of 9 500ha. We may not be able to attain the target within the normal planting window that guarantees good yields.
“More farmers received inputs this week and we expect them to intensify planting as the deadline approaches in order to get a good yield.
“Ordinarily, farmers should cease planting by the end of this month, but we are likely to extend the deadline to June. We are optimistic of attaining the target, but farmers should work around the clock to avoid compromising the yield,” said Mr Mlambo.
He said Makoni District will have the largest area under wheat (4 350ha), followed by Mutasa (1 950ha), Nyanga (1 800ha), Mutare (1 100ha) and Chipinge (478ha). He also said the power cuts that had been troubling some wheat growing areas have been rectified.
The national power utility has put in place modalities to ringfence 120MW for winter wheat production.
In a bid to minimise the duration of power outages due to network faults throughout the season, the power utility has also established support groups for effective communication with winter wheat farmers and expeditious resolution of faults.
The National Contact Centre will also be available for continuous and timeous support throughout the season.
“Where there are challenges, we engage ZESA to rectify the problems. Should any challenges arise, farmers should raise alarm so that we engage the power utility,” said Mr Mlambo.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has also assured the nation that our dams have more than enough water to irrigate the country’s winter wheat whose targeted yield is 408 000 tonnes.
Uninterrupted electricity and water supply is crucial in wheat production since the cereal is highly sensitive to moisture deficits, especially during the critical phases of heading, flowering and early grain-fill.
The total gross amount of water required is about 500-600mm per hectare.
However, wheat farmers should work closely with agronomists in coming up with their water requirements to avoid overstating or understating it.
Farmers are being advised to obtain their water abstraction agreements to allow ZINWA to efficiently and sustainably allocate the available water among competing users.
