LIVINGSTONE MARUFU
CBZ Holdings Limited has set a target of 65 000 hectares to be put under wheat production during this year’s winter cropping season as the private sector ramps up effort to increase the output of the cereal and reduce the import bill.
Government, which has partnered CBZ Agro-Yield, is also targeting to increase productivity levels on farms.
“CBZ through its division Agro-Yield will plant up to 65,000 hectares under wheat while Presidential Input Scheme will plant 10,000 hectares and private sector with 15,000 hectares,” said Graeme Murdoch, National Wheat Contract Farming Committee (NWCFC) vice chairperson.
NWCFC is a technical committee which was formed in 2018 to lead winter wheat contract farming in the country and works with the government to improve wheat production.
Government is looking forward to more private sector co-operation to achieve the desired wheat yield.
The current scheme is restricted to wheat, maize and soya farmers.
Those with irrigation facilities will be prioritised.
On Tuesday last week, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Anxious Masuka told Cabinet that out of the original target of 75 000 hectares for planting wheat, 68 184 hectares are now available for the three schemes which support production, namely: CBZ Agro-Yield, Food Crop Contractors and Presidential Wheat Support Scheme.
The 68,184ha were so far contracted compared to a total of 44 600 hectares which were contracted for the whole season last year.
The ongoing contracting of farmers has been enhanced by the use of information communication technologies, starting with the provision of electronic gadgets to extension staff.
The provision of inputs is better than previous seasons, with all inputs for the private sector contracted hectarage having been secured and distribution is in progress.
The 27 000 metric tonnes of basal fertiliser, 25 999 metric tonnes of top dressing fertiliser and 7 450 metric tonnes of wheat seeds required for the CBZ Agro-Yield programme are available, with 3 302 metric tonnes of basal fertiliser and 2 783 metric tonnes of top dressing having been distributed.
ZESA has assured that sufficient supplies of 100MW will be available to meet planting requirements, with the water level in Kariba double that at the same time last year.
Masuka said a high-level key stakeholders’ taskforce has been established to ensure availability of these critical enablers, and ZINWA has already held a successful stakeholder meeting ahead of the winter season.
Last year, Zimbabwe attained 210,000 tonnes and this year the country is expecting around 350,000 tonnes.
Zimbabwe requires between 350,000 tonnes of wheat and 400,000 tonnes, however the country will import another wheat to blend with local wheat to make good quality bread.
