By Evans Dakwa
Government is earmarking a winter wheat production output of 624 000 metric tonnes, more than enough for the country’s annual wheat requirements of 360 000 metric tonnes.
In a post cabinet briefing to the media, Government had adopted a Winter Cereals Production Plan by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
“A total of 120 000 hectares have been targeted for wheat production during the 2024 winter cereal production season, compared to the 90912 hectares planted in 2023.The total production is estimated as 624 000 metric tonnes, against a national requirement of 360 000 metric tonnes,”
The targeted hectarage and output which will make Zimbabwe wheat sufficient for the local component needed in wheat meal already has a solid financing plan that should ensure preparations and production are not hampered in any way.
“The hectarage will be financed through Banks; the Presidential Input Scheme; ARDA (Estates +Joint Ventures); the Food Crop Contractors Association (FCCA); and self-financing.”
To incentives farmers, Cabinet has already approved what it called a selling price of the winter crop.
“Cabinet also approved an incentive planning price of US$440 per metric tonne for wheat, and a planning price of US$360/MT for maize/sorghum. These viable producer prices should incentivise farmers to commit more land to wheat production.”
In its statement, Government also advised that the country has enough wheat seed and chemicals, some fertilisers and chemicals in stock for the 2024 winter cereals production season. The deficit in fertiliser requirements will be augment by imports