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Winter wheat preps on course

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DRIVEN by the success of the summer cropping season, stakeholders have put in place measure to ensure the winter cropping season succeeds too.
Government is coming up with Command Winter Wheat Programme targeting 50 000 hectares of wheat.
The anticipated yield is 300 000 tonnes.
The country requires 450 000t of wheat to meet its annual consumption requirement has not been met in past seasons, while the balance has always been met through imports.
The failure to meet demand has resulted in a wheat import bill of over US$500 million a year as Government moves to close the deficit.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president Wonder Chabikwa said wheat farmers were struggling and receiving little support from stakeholders.
“Over the past seasons, no one was prepared to fund winter wheat farming,” he said.
“Most farmers needed financial support and without any support, output levels declined but with what Government has put in place production levels are set to improve.”
Farmers have been reluctant to grow wheat due to incessant power outages and low selling price on the local market.
“Farmers are never sure of the supply of electricity and financial support, so most end up abandoning the crop,” said Chabikwa.
“With electricity, we normally do not have challenges at the start of the season in May but as the season progresses, power outages increase.
“And farmers were not satisfied by the prices offered by buyers.”
Agronomist Ivan Craig encouraged farmers not to give up on wheat production as it is a vital crop. He said there is room for farmers to make a profit.
“The secret is in the yield, hence farmers should make sure they achieve maximum yield/ha and in turn they will make a profit,” said Craig.
“The maximum yield/ha is between eight and 11 tonnes and even if farmers produce five tonnes, they will still be able to break even.”
Farmers have cited high costs of production as a huge drawback and the reason locally produced wheat was priced higher than that in neighbouring countries.
Electricity costs of between US$700 and US$800 to irrigate a hectare of the crop per season have also made it difficult for farmers to break even.
A hectare of wheat is irrigated after seven days for eight hours before germination and after every 14 days for eight hours after germination till it is harvested.
Craig said for farmers to realise maximum yields, they should follow the correct procedures and ensure they have the right and adequate inputs.
“A farmer should ensure land is well-prepared and there is enough water to see the crop from establishment to harvesting,” he said.
“Farmers can approach AGRITEX and have them do a feasibility study to determine the actual amount of water in their water source and afterwards they will advise on the crop that can be sustained with their water.
“After determining the size of the field, farmers should ensure it is prepared and have adequate seeds and fertilisers.”
When using the broadcasting planting method, farmers require 135 to 140kg of seed/ha and when using the drilling method, 120 to 125kg is required.
Before planting, said Craig, the field should be irrigated until it is saturated.
“After planting it will take up to four days before the plant starts to sprout and water should be withdrawn for 21 days as this encourages deeper development of the roots and the full utilisation of residual nutrients,” he said.
“After 21 days, full irrigation cycle resumes and for those in sandy soils, it should be after every eight to nine days, depending on the rate of evaporation and for those in heavy soils, after every 12-to-14 days.”
Craig said after 21 days of planting, it is advisable to then apply herbicides and top dressing.
Compound D fertiliser is applied just before planting.
“Those in heavy soils should apply 350kg of top-dressing fertiliser/ha and those in sandy soils, between 400 and 450kg,” said Craig.
“If the fertiliser is to be applied using the broadcasting method, the application should be split into two; for instance those in sandy soils can apply 225kg/ha after the 21 days and the other 225kg after two weeks.”
Regular inspections to check for weeds, pests and diseases is important, said Craig.
He said the crop should be safeguarded from veld fires and logging.
“Farmers should develop a passion for the crop and if they notice anything amiss, be it pests or diseases, they should take a specimen to AGRITEX officials who will assess and recommend corrective measures,” he said.
“The major challenge in wheat production is the quelea birds which are so destructive and cannot be sprayed against.
“When faced with this challenge, a farmer should notify the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority who will offer control methods.”
If correct procedures are followed, yields maximised, farmers will be able to break even and result in the wheat production sector rebounding.

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