Harare – Nearly 100 000 hectares of land has already been put under maize, Zimbabwe’s staple crop, a few weeks into the 2022/23 farming season, compared to just above 30 000 hectares during the same period last season, Cabinet said on Tuesday.
With normal to above normal rains expected this season, Zimbabwe is targeting to ensure continued food security.
Acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said despite the reduced rainfall activity experienced during the past week, most areas across the country had received rains expected at this time of the year.
On the other hand, he said input distribution, registration and training on Pfumvudza/Intwasa was progress well.
“Cabinet would like to highlight the following areas planted for the major crops: Maize, 95 593 hectares compared to 33 119 hectares at the same time of the previous season; Soyabeans, 1 415 hectares compared to 677 hectares at the same time of the previous season; Sorghum, 2 570 hectares against 756 hectares the previous season; Cotton, 518 hectares and Tobacco, 53 571 hectares versus 38 312 hectares at the same time of the previous season,” he said.
“Under the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), both AFC and CBZ have commenced registering farmers, with inputs being availed. CBZ is targeting to support a total of 170 000 hectares under maize (150 000 hectares) and soyabeans (20 000 hectares), while AFC is targeting 65 000 hectares under maize (55 000 hectares), soyabeans (5 000 hectares), traditional grains (2 000 hectares) and sunflower (3 000 hectares.”
Muswere said input distribution was being done according to agro-ecological zone requirements. “Cabinet highlights that 82 percent (58 958 metric tonnes) of the received basal fertilizer has been distributed across the provinces, while 69 percent (14 297 metric tonnes) of the received top dressing fertiliser have been distributed. Planting has commenced in many areas,” he said.
Regarding livestock, Muswere said a total of 291 750 chickens and 3 158 goats had been distributed under the Presidential Rural Poultry and Goat schemes, respectively.
Meanwhile, a total of 435 boreholes have been drilled under the Borehole Drilling Programme across the country, up from the 368 boreholes reported on 15 November, 2022.
The borehole drilling programme is also in support of the national irrigation development plan. – New Ziana
