Zimbabwe to grow more wheat than maize and sorghum this winter

Zimbabwe to grow more wheat than maize and sorghum this winter

Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa

Zimbabwe has a comparative advantage in producing wheat rather than maize or sorghum in winter, the Government has said.

This was said by Minister of Information, Publicity And Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere in Harare on Tuesday night. Dr Muswere was speaking on the Proposed 2024 Winter Cereals Production Plan which was presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka which had been adopted by Cabinet that afternoon.

Dr Muswere said, “Zimbabwe has a comparative advantage in producing wheat rather than maize or sorghum in winter. Accordingly, a total of 120,000 hectares have been targeted for wheat production during the 2024 winter cereal production season, compared to the 90,912 hectares planted in 2023.”

Comparative advantage is an economy’s ability to produce a particular good or service at a lower opportunity cost than its trading partners

He said that the total production is estimated as 624 000 metric tonnes, against a national requirement of 360 000 metric tonnes annually. The hectarage will be financed through Banks; the Presidential Input Scheme; ARDA (Estates + Joint Ventures); the Food Crop Contractors Association (FCCA); and self-financing.

Dr Muswere said, “Farmers are being advised that the country has enough wheat seed and chemicals, some fertilizers, and chemicals in stock for the 2024 winter cereals production season. The deficit in fertilizer requirements has to be met through imports. There is enough water in the country’s dams for the winter cereals production programme.”

He also said that in terms of mechanization, there is enough capacity to adequately and timeously till 120,000 hectares.

Dr Muswere said, “The cabinet also approved an incentive planning price of US$440 per metric tonne for wheat and a planning price of US$360/mt for maize/sorghum. These viable producer prices should incentivize farmers to commit more land to wheat production. The government encourages all farmers with available irrigation and land to contribute to national efforts to produce a bumper wheat crop as part of the national strategy to ensure food security.”