FARMERS operating at Makwe Irrigation Scheme in Gwanda are targeting to put 110 hectares under wheat, which will be their first winter crop in the last six years.
The farmers have received 11 tonnes of wheat seed and 55 tonnes of fertiliser under the Presidential Input Scheme.
The 200-hectare irrigation scheme, which had been lying idle for six years, was rehabilitated last year under the Small Holder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP). The development was part of efforts by Government to revive defunct irrigation schemes and to capacitate schemes that were being underutilised.
The wheat crop will be the second crop at Makwe Irrigation Scheme after farmers successfully produced maize during the just ended farming season. They are set to start their land preparation for the winter wheat crop production on Friday.
Established in the 1960s, Makwe Irrigation Scheme was once the bread basket and major source of income for villagers in the area. The irrigation scheme is set to contribute significantly towards food and nutrition in the province. It has 180 registered members.
In an interview, Makwe Irrigation Scheme chairperson, Mr Louise Ncube said they were looking forward to starting their winter wheat production.
“We started off by producing maize crop and sugar beans last year although it was at a low scale because the scheme was being rehabilitated. We are looking forward to moving onto wheat production and as farmers, we are looking forward to increasing our hectarage. Our target for winter wheat is 110 hectares and by the end of the week, we should be starting land preparations.
“We have four tractors in place and we have received inputs under the Presidential Input Scheme; we are raring to go,” he said.
Makwe Irrigation Scheme member Ms Nothando Nyathi said she was looking forward to the production of wheat for the first time in six years. She said they were hopeful that the power supply situation would improve and their wheat crop would do well.
Ms Nyathi said they were looking forward to significantly contributing towards achieving the province’s targeted output.
Meanwhile at Arda Antelope Estate in Matobo, winter wheat production is at an advanced stage with some of the crop already germinated.
Arda Antelope Estate manager, Mr Aleck Chinyai said they were targeting to plant 600 hectares of wheat. He said they have planted seed on 390 hectares and 340 hectares had already germinated.
Mr Chinyai said land preparation and planting was also underway on the remaining portion of land.
Matabeleland South acting provincial agricultural director rural development services, Mr Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu said the province has a target of 3 100 hectares which is an increase from last year’s 2 286 hectares.
He said the recently revived schemes such as Makwe Irrigation Scheme would assist in meeting this target. Mr Ndlovu said large scale wheat production at estates would also boost production.
“We have set our winter target at 3 100 hectares as a province. We are mobilising farmers and institutions in order to meet or even exceed the target. We have AFC, the Presidential programme and private players who are into wheat production and everybody is keen to contribute towards attaining this target.
“Zesa has also reassured that farmers will get power supply for their crops. Our target is food nutrition and food security,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said planting and land preparation was underway across the province. He said the target was to ensure that planting is completed by the end of the month throughout the province in order to ensure high yields and a good quality crop.
Launching the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) in November 2020, President Mnangagwa said under the five-year Government economic blue-print, all sectors of the economy are obliged to increase their productivity.
Under the NDS1, more resources and greater momentum are being injected towards dam construction and efficient irrigation systems.
The Second Republic has made food security a top priority and is working towards an US$8,2 billion agriculture industry economy, contributing 20 percent of Gross Domestic Product by 2025, underpinned by the country’s NDS1 – the driver towards Vision 2030 to make Zimbabwe an upper middle- class economy.
Efforts being made by the Second Republic will cumulatively see the country achieve the US$8,2 billion agriculture sector economy. – The Chronicle
