ELLEN MLAMBO
MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO – Government is expecting to meet 75% of its target of planted wheat hectarage by this week, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka has said.
The remaining 25% should be planted by June 15 which is the deadline. Late crop could be affected by rains that have been forecasted for October by the Meteorological Services department.
Dr Masuka was speaking at a Provincial wheat seminar held at the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Mbungo Estates in Masvingo last Thursday.
The country targets to plant 120 000 hectares of wheat this season and to harvest 624,000 metric tonnes of the crop. The planted hectarage is an increase of 33% from last year’s 90 000 hectares.
Last year farmers produced 465,458 metric tonnes.
Dr Masuka said that 100 800 hectares of wheat were contracted countrywide to CBZ, Food Contractors Association, NMB and Presidential Scheme among others.
Of the total hectarage, Masvingo Province accounts for just 4,500 hectares and only 442 of that have been planted so far. The largest producer in the province is Mutendi Mbungo Estates and it has so far this year planted 174 hectares with an expected harvest of 1 000 metric tonnes.
Masuka said the remaining 25% hectarage will at the latest be planted by June 15 which is in two weeks’ time.
“Ordinarily, we want all the wheat to have been planted by May 31 depending on Agro ecological zone but others can plant by the deadline of June 15,” said Masuka.
“Currently, we have 100 800 hectares of wheat that we have contracted countrywide to CBZ, Food Contractors Association, NMB, CBZ and Presidential Scheme among others. We want 33% increase in wheat production,” said Masuka.
Representing ZCC, Herbert Mtendi appreciated Government for choosing to hold the winter wheat productivity enhancement seminar at Mbungo Estates.