By Flata Kavinga
The Government has set a target of planting 125 000 hectares of winter wheat this season, with an expected output of 662 500 metric tonnes as the country moves to strengthen national food security.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Midlands Province Winter Wheat Pre-planting Seminar at DCK Farm in Kwekwe, the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Dr Anxious Masuka said Government was conducting provincial mobilisation and assessment visits to ensure the target is achieved or surpassed.
“It’s 125 000 hectares to produce 662 500 metric tonnes. We are doing provincial mobilisation and assessment visits to ensure that this target can be surpassed,” said Dr Masuka.
He said Midlands Province had been allocated a target of 12 500 hectares and had already identified 10 900 hectares, with 5 600 hectares already planted.
“We expect the planting to be complete by 31 May in order to maximise on yield,” he said.
Dr Masuka said projections from the Meteorological Services Department indicated that this winter season would likely be cooler than previous years, creating favourable conditions for wheat production.
“The Meteorological Services Department this morning was telling us that this winter would be cooler compared to other winters, which means that it will be a very good wheat season. So farmers must maximise on this,” he said.
