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The Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union is on the verge of clinching a deal worth US$40 million with the private sector to support wheat farming this winter, an official has said.
In the past, the winter wheat season has been blighted by limited resources among other factors. As a result, Zimbabwe has relied on imports to bridge the deficit.
ZCFU chief economist Peter Gambara told New Ziana the funding was expected to boost this season’s wheat hectarage to 50 000 hectares.
Last winter, about 12 000 hectares were put under wheat. “The union is co-ordinating a private sector initiative to mobilise inputs worth US$40 million for the 2011 winter wheat season and the Memorandum of Understanding will be signed this week,” he said.
“ZFCU had set a target of 15 000 hectares but after meeting with the Grain Millers’ Association, we have agreed to set a target of 50 000 hectares.” He said farmers from other unions could also benefit from the US$40 million deal. “Any prospective wheat farmer is free to approach the union; it is not for members only,” Mr Gambara said.
He said the GMA would have capacity to purchase all the wheat to be produced this winter. GMA requires about 1 000 metric tonnes of the commodity daily.
“All wheat will have a buyer,” he said, adding that a viable producer price would be gazetted. Meanwhile, ZCFU said Zesa would commit nearly 162MW towards winter cropping this year.
He added that power would be augmented by standby generators supplied by a local firm. “Apart from the promise by Zesa, the union has also brokered a deal with a generator supplier to provide back-up during unforeseen interruptions especially at critical stages like germination,” Mr Gambara said.
Last week, Government availed US$10 million to support winter wheat farming this season. — New Ziana.