BY Ndafadza Madanha
Winter wheat harvesting has commenced across the country with expectations that 65% of the harvest will be done by the end of October.
Zimbabwe projects to produce 300,000 metric tonnes of wheat this year, against an annual requirement of 360,000 metric tonnes, last year the country produced over 160 000 metric tonnes of wheat. Close to 66 000 hectares was put under wheat against a target of 80 hectares.
Government recently set the wheat producer price at $55 517,69 per tonne for ordinary grade wheat and $66 621,22 per metric tonne for premium wheat.
Already the GMB has designated 18 intake depots for collecting wheat, and is purchasing quality control equipment as well as accelerating grain movement from the northern depots to the southern depots.
Additionally the GMB in collaboration with Agriculture Finance Corporation (AFC) is finalizing allocation of combine harvesters and transporters.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, has received from China and Kenya the necessary chemicals to control reported cases of damage to wheat by Quelea birds.
Cabinet considered and adopted the Update Report on the 2021 Winter Wheat Production and Summer Crops Marketing, which was presented by the Minister of
Regarding the delivery of the other strategic grains the country top 10 maize depots have received 57% of the expected maize.
The top 10 traditional grains depots have received 78% of the intake, while the top 10 soyabean depots have received 77% of the deliveries to date.
Maize intake has increased by 547%, traditional grains by 726% and soyabean intake by 914% this season compared to the same time last year.