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AT least 3 000 hectares have been put under wheat this winter season, down from the targeted 26 000 due to inadequate funding from central Government.
Over the past 10 years, wheat production has been on the decline with the last two seasons being the worst. In 2011, only 12 000 hectares against a targeted 45 000 were planted while only 4 000 hectares from a target of 26 000 hectares was planted last year.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president Mr Wonder Chabikwa said the country would have to import to meet national demand.

“Winter wheat production is going on well. We were targeting to plant 26 000 hectares but managed only 3 000 hectares with farmers using their own resources.
“Unfortunately, Government could not support us this year,” he said.

Mr Chabikwa said power utility ZETDC had tremendously improved its service and farmers expected to produce better yields next year as electricity was becoming more available.

He said the Government had failed to sponsor winter wheat production due to pressing commitments including funding of harmonised elections.
Mr Chabikwa castigated millers for failing to support winter wheat production preferring to import.

“It is not sustainable for a country to rely on importing when it has the capacity to produce the crop locally,” he added.
About 40 000 hectares are expected to be put under wheat this coming season.

Zimbabwe requires about 450 000 metric tonnes of wheat annually and the reduced production means the country has to deploy more funds on imports. — New Ziana.