GOVERNMENT has launched the wheat programme in Manicaland after setting a target of at least seven thousand hectares for the province in line with national objectives.
Launching the programme at Musoja farm in Makoni, Manicaland province this Monday, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement, Douglas Karoro said farmers should take advantage of government’s intensified mechanization programme to increase wheat production.
Deputy Minister Karoro said Manicaland is expected to grow at least 7000 hectares of wheat out of the 80 000 hectares required to meet the 415 000 metric tonnes national requirement.
“Let me give you an assurance that the government is committed to supporting wheat farmers to meet the set targets. Farmers should not be afraid to grow wheat as the previous challenges are being eliminated. A twenty percent markup will be put by government to ensure the producer price is viable.150 combine harvesters have been bought to eliminate the challenge of wheat harvesting while challenges of other farming implements, inputs as well as the availability of electricity are being looked into,” he said.
The Minister of State for Manicaland province, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba appealed to farmers to effectively utilize their land and reduce imports that are gobbling substantial amounts in foreign currency.
“We need to up our game because agriculture is the backbone of our economy. If we don’t invest in agriculture, we are losing the plot. This is a carrion call to the people of Manicaland,” she said.
Host farmer, Rudo Samuriwo who was allocated the farm in 2005 says she managed to increase productivity through command agriculture and is yearning to achieve more.
“We thank the government for supporting us through command agriculture. Farming has changed our lives starting from a humble beginning and now we are doing 40 hectares of wheat as well as 40 hectares of maize and 15 hectares of tobacco among other activities at the farm. We target to increase wheat hectarage to 100,” she said.
Government has adopted a deliberate move to increase wheat production to eliminate imports and increase export receipts.
