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Fortunate Gora Mash West Correspondent
Farmers in Mashonaland West have applauded Government for fulfilling its promise to avail grain dryers, which would reduce post-harvest loses. About 15,5 to 17,5 percent post-harvest losses of maize are experienced each season due to old farming methods.

Government has, however, availed the grain dryers to minimise the losses and these have been installed at various centres across the country.

One such dryer was installed at Bessivielle Farm, owned by Mr Ruvimbo Nziramasanga, recently under the Grain Dryer Resuscitation and Rehabilitation programme.

Addressing farmers at the official commissioning of the grain dryer, Mashonaland West Provincial Administrator Mrs Cicilia Chitiyo said they should embrace modern farming methods.

She said there was an essential need to dry grain quickly and effectively after harvest and before storage to retain maximum quality.

“Most people are still using open air or sun drying which is the oldest and extensively used option since early times,” she said. “The disadvantage associated with these methods include the attacks of produce by insects and micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi.”

Mrs Chitiyo said the use of grain dryers also lead to quality harvest.
“Using a grain dryer not only reduces post-harvest losses incurred due to moulding, thieves and fires, but also improve the grain quality,” she said.

Mrs Chitiyo said grain dryers enable farmers to deliver their produce early thereby facilitating timely planning for the next season.

“Timely harvesting of wheat can also be done without risking the wheat from early rains,” she said.
Mrs Chitiyo encouraged farmers to have moisture meters to avoid unnecessary costs when their products are rejected due to high moisture content.

Mr Nziramasanga commended Government efforts to improve agricultural productivity in the country. “I wish to extend my deep appreciation to the Government of Zimbabwe for the Command Agriculture programme and its efforts in supporting local farmers to this extent,” he said.