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Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
Winter wheat planted under the Government’s Command Agriculture Programme this year in Makoni District is performing well and farmers are expecting to good harvests. There are 23 farmers in the district contracted under the scheme who have planted a combined 1 189 hectares of the crop mainly in the Headlands area. The number of farmers has, however, declined from around 50 last year, as some farmers pulled out due to lack of capacity.

Makoni District agricultural extension officer Mr Joseph Chipere said the 23 farmers who took up wheat programme are mainly commercial farmers who have combine harvesters and irrigation equipment to help grow a good crop.

He added that the wheat programme is progressing well without any major hindrance and farmers are most likely to produce high yields as the crop is healthy and thriving.

“This year there are 23 farmers whom we contracted under the Command Wheat programme which is a decline from the 50 we had last season. The decline, however, did not have much impact on the hectrage which is 1 189. Wheat is a little bit complicated crop to grow as opposed to maize where we have hundreds of farmers under the programme. Only big commercial farmers took up the wheat programme because they have the necessary enablers that make the growing of the crop viable and profitable,” he said.

“Farmers started planting in early May and we have availed everything that is on the contract. We are also making constant visits to the farms monitoring the progress and giving farmers expert advice. The crop is very healthy as the farmers are adhering to our advice. We are sure that we are going to have a bumper harvest in the district.”

Headlands farmer Mr Samuel Chimuka, who was contracted to grow 20 hectares of wheat said the crop is doing well, but said Government should review electricity charges as farmers were struggling to pay at the current rates.
“I was contracted to grow 20 hectares of wheat and I got all the inputs on time. My crop is very healthy and I am hoping that I will have a good harvest and also Government is likely to offer a competitive producer price. I am expecting an average 6 tonnes per hectare.
“The major challenge with wheat farming is electricity cost which farmers feel is very steep. ZESA has since installed prepaid meters, which is a major drawback for those who irrigate wheat. Farmers are going for days without irrigating their wheat because they will be running around to raise money to buy electricity. Our argument as farmers is that the electricity cost should come down from the current 11 cents per unit to around 8 cents and we feel we should be allowed to pay electricity bills after harvest,” said Mr Chimuka.