Farai Mabeza, Senior Staff Writer 
ZIMBABWE’S winter wheat hectarage has increased by more than half from the same period last year.
Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa told reporters after this week’s Cabinet meeting that all the winter production schemes have recorded varying increases from their 2020 figures.
This year’s winter wheat farming is supported through three programmes ― CBZ Agro Yield, Presidential Input Support Scheme and a private contractors scheme.
“Regarding the winter wheat production season, Cabinet wishes to highlight that a total of 61 800 hectares have so far been planted, a 53 percent increase from the area planted during the comparative 2020 period,” Mutsvangwa said.
Monica Mutsvangwa
“A total of 4 500 hectares have been planted under the Presidential Wheat Scheme, while the Command/CBZ Agro-yield Scheme has planted 42 000 hectares this year, an increase of 25 percent from the 34 000 hectares planted last year.
“The private sector has contracted 15 397,76 hectares, three percent above the targeted 15 000 hectares”.
Meanwhile, as of June 21, 2021, total maize delivered to Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots across the country stood at 240 200 metric tonnes, significantly up from the 63 900 metric tonnes received at the same time last year.
The quantity of soyabean delivered has similarly increased to 10 000 metric tonnes, versus 956 metric tonnes at the same time last year.
“The traditional grain tonnage delivered has recorded a phenomenal increase to 22 000 metric tonnes from the 1 600 metric tonnes delivered during the 2020 comparative period.
“Government takes this opportunity to call upon farmers to continue delivering their grain to GMB depots as timeous payments are guaranteed,” Mutsvangwa added.
The tobacco marketing season has also recorded good results, with a total of over 165 million kilogrammes sold to realise US$452 million, compared to the 124,5 million kilogrammes sold for US$297 million in 2020.
“On cotton, it is advised that 145 000 metric tonnes are expected to be delivered from the established 287 000 hectares during the current marketing season,” Mutsvangwa said.
The government has set a national target of 85 000 hectares of winter wheat, with expected national harvest forecast above 400 000 tonnes.
This comes as the government has identified agriculture as the accelerator for Vision 2030.
According to the Agriculture ministry, the Agriculture Recovery Plan (2020-2023) was developed to engender the envisaged agricultural transformation agenda aimed at six outcomes ― food security, import substitution, diversified exports, value addition, employment and improved incomes and standards of living in the country.
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