90 000t of wheat harvested so far
More than 27 percent of the wheat produced during the past cropping season has been
harvested, translating to over 90 000 tonnes of the cereal.
This comes as wheat stakeholders are working hard to have harvesting completed by mid-November so farmers can transition to the summer season, while at the same time saving the cereal from early rains.
Agritex’s latest report indicates that 44 295 hectares of wheat were planted under the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), commonly known as Command Agriculture.
Of this, 11 588 hectares have been at an average yield of 4,8 tonnes. So far, 55 627 tonnes of wheat have come from the NEAPS programme as farmers intensify harvesting.
From the Presidential Inputs Scheme, farmers have harvested 1 259 hectares out of the 5 477 hectares put under wheat.
The average yield is 3,4 tonnes per hectare and so far 4 299 hectares have been produced.
From the private sector funded wheat, 5 013 hectares out of the 16 662 hectares planted have been harvested at an average yield of 6,1 tonnes per hectare.
So far, 30 738 tonnes of wheat have come out of the private sector funded crop. The Grain Marketing Board has received more than 88 722 tonnes of wheat from farmers since harvesting started.
GMB chief executive, Mr Rockie Mutenha, said the bulk of the crop that was being delivered was of the premium grade.
“As at October 25, we had received 88 722 tonnes compared to 84 149 tonnes same period last year,” he said.
“Of the wheat delivered, 55 197 tonnes were premium grade and 33 527 tonnes utility.”
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos said he was impressed by the wheat yields.
“So far, harvesting has already kick started and we are receiving an average yield of above to five tonnes per hectare from the three support programmes, which means if we continue on this projectile we will certainly produce the highest amount of wheat since Independence,” he said.
“We target to complete harvesting by the November 15 in order to allow our farmers to transition well into planting summer crops.
“By 31 October, our target is to have harvested at least 65 percent of the entire hectarage planted. We are seeing that so far on average 77 percent of all wheat deliveries are standard and premium quality, which shows the amazing job that our farmers have done this season.
“For our farmers’ convenience, we have designated 18 depots around the country as collection points for wheat.”
This season, the country is expected to harvest more than 300 000 tonnes.-herald.cl.zw
