3000 hectares of wheat in Mat North

• Published date: 22 September 2022
• Publication title: The Chronicle

The Chronicle Nqobile Tshili,Chronicle Reporter FARMERS in Matabeleland North have increased their wheat hectarage from last year's 950 hectares to about 3 000 hectares as the province moves towards enhancing the country's food security and attainment of a US$8,2 billion agriculture economy in line with Vision 2030. Food insecurity is a global threat affecting almost every nation with Zimbabwe not spared. The global food crisis has been triggered mainly by prolonged droughts due to climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic and the on-going Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has affected the global food supply chain.

Ukraine contributed 30 percent worldwide supply of the wheat. Following the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the Government took a bold step to increase wheat farming and expects to produce a record high harvest of 380 000 tonnes this year since the 1960s when Zimbabwe planted its first wheat crop.

The country requires about 360 000 tonnes of wheat annually and will have a surplus of the crop, thanks to a well-coordinated programme by Government and private sector players. While in some parts of the country, harvesting of the crop has started, farmers in Matabeleland North expect to commence the exercise next week with more farmers expected to join in next month.

The province has new wheat farmers who also want to be part of the initiative to transforming the country's agriculture sector to ensure food self- sufficiency for the country. It's not only farmers with vast tracts of lands who planted the winter wheat crop, but small-scale farmers are also involved.

One of the new wheat farmers, Mr Collin Mujuru of Nyamandlovu in Umguza District planted 2,5 hectares and is optimistic of recording a bumper harvest. Petronella Zulu in their wheat crop field yet to mature in Umguza "I was encouraged by other farmers in the district to also venture into wheat farming since it is a cash crop.

I am also one of the farmers who benefited from the Presidential Inputs Scheme although I complemented by buying some of the required chemicals," he said. Mr Mujuru hopes to harvest the crop in November.

Acting provincial director for Agricultural Rural Development and Advisory Services in Bulawayo and Matabeleland North, Mr Dumisani Nyoni said wheat production in the province was impressive. "We have 2 860 hectares that we planted this year compared to 950 hectares that we had planted last year.

We partly attribute the increase in wheat production to Arda Jotsholo which...