Sustained focus needed for another good wheat seao...

Sustained focus needed for another good wheat seaon

Rutendo Mazhindu

Government, farmers and other stakeholder must play their part to ensure a good wheat harvest, this season, an expert has said.

Senior agronomist and ARDA Board Chairperson, Irvin Craig said it is crucial to have sustained proper fertilizer application, irrigation scheduling, and pest control to secure maximum yields across the nation.

"We have seen that most of the wheat has already germinated now we need to make sure we come in with fertilizer, control your weeds, and maintain your irrigation cycle working with extension officers to ensure we maintain a good harvest this season," he advised.

After a great 2023 season which has helped the country mitigate the effects of drought in the main farming season, Zimbabwean wheat farmers are on track for another one this year.

This positive outlook comes after a recent visit by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka, to the Mushandike Irrigation Scheme in Masvingo.

Minister Masuka echoed Craig's sentiments and expressed his confidence in achieving a national bumper harvest.

"Today we are touring a successful winter wheat project here at Mushandike Irrigation in Masvingo," stated the Minister.

"Masvingo province planted 4,000 hectares this season and here we are seeing the fruits of early planting and good agronomic practices. We are on the way to transforming this biggest irrigation scheme to becoming a commercially viable, sustaining scheme."

Msuhandike farmers have received government support through infrastructure rehabilitation and input schemes.

Nationally, wheat planting has surpassed the targeted 120,000 hectares, with close to 122,000 hectares cultivated. Most of the early-planted crops are in the vegetative stage, while later plantings are germinating.