ARDA increases winter wheat hacterage

 

 Zim Now Writer

The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority has adopted several strategies targeting irrigation schemes, estates and joint venture arrangements with farmers as the authority has set a target of producing 100 000 metric tonnes of wheat from 20 000 hectares during this winter wheat season.

ARDA CEO Mr Tinotenda Mhiko said the target of producing 100 000 metric tonnes of wheat translates to 28 percent contribution of the national wheat requirements.

“For this winter wheat season, we are doing 20 000 hectares against the 14 000 which we did last season and this is a 43 percent increase.

“We are targeting to harvest 100 000 metric tonnes of wheat against the 61 000 tonnes harvested last season. And this harvest is a 27 percent contribution to the national annual wheat requirements.

“We commissioned an additional five irrigation schemes in a whole government approach which unlocked an additional irrigable hectare of 834 hectares in irrigation schemes across Matabeleland north, Masvingo and Midlands provinces. This is an additional combined tonnage of grain of about 8 340 tonnes,” Mr Mhiko said.