LIVINGSTONE MARUFU
Food crop contractors have engaged power utility, ZESA Holdings, over uninterrupted power supplies during this winter season to boost wheat output.
The development comes at a time when various sectors of the economy are grappling with rolling power cuts thereby affecting production.
Food Crop Contractors chairperson Graeme Murdoch told Business Times that uninterrupted power supply will boost wheat output.
“The power utility had previously ring-fenced 100 megawatts but with the current power outages we wanted to ensure we get that amount or even more,” Murdoch said.
He said Zimbabwe will record a surplus in wheat production if the power utility agrees to supply the sub sector with uninterrupted power.
Zimbabwe will save close to US$300m in wheat imports if it reaches above 400 000 metric tonnes.
Most of the country’s major dams are currently reported to be 95% full.
All efforts to get a comment from ZESA were futile.
Zimbabwe is targeting 85,000 hectares under wheat.
Out of this, the government is planning over 60,000 hectares and the private sector 25,000 hectares.
Murdoch said banks have made a commitment to fund winter wheat for the private sector with most farmers already planting.
“So far banks have availed funding for 20 000 hectares and we expect the financial institutions to avail more funding as the season progresses,” Murdoch said.
He said the banks are forthcoming in supply finance for wheat, although there are challenges in accessing finance.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Shadreck Makombe said uninterrupted electricity supply would give farmers a huge leap towards self-sufficiency.
“If ZESA gives us power as it has promised, there is a likelihood of the country getting a bumper harvest and moving towards 400 000 tonnes,” he said.
The private sector has set a target of 150 000 tonnes of winter wheat output from its 25 000 hectares.
The contractors are projecting an average of six tonnes per hectare.
Last year, Zimbabwe attained 380 000 metric tonnes, more than double the 180 000 tonnes of wheat harvested in 2021.
Zimbabwe’s stocks were expected to last for over 10 months at a consumption rate of 21 000 metric tonnes per month.
A total of 3 980 hectares of the wheat crop was damaged by rains.
This year, the country wants to guard against post-harvest losses.
Over the years, Zimbabwe has relied on imports to meet domestic demand.
Zimbabwe imports the bulk of its wheat from Eastern Europe.
