Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE GOVERNMENT has commenced the rollout of the first round of crops, livestock, and fisheries nationwide, with the situation on the ground so far pointing to a promising farming season.
In an interview shortly after assessing the situation at the Royale Cooper Estate, a horticulture farm in Beitbridge on Wednesday, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, said the process was being co-ordinated by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Office.
“We have now started the first round of crops, livestock and fisheries assessment nationally, which is co-ordinated by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Office,” he said.
“The target for maize was 1,8 million hectares, and as of Tuesday, we had achieved 1,786 million hectares, translating to 99 percent of the target. Our hope is that with additional planting, we will exceed our target of 1,8 million hectares. In terms of the state of the crop, 65 percent are at the vegetative stage and looking very good, about 20 percent are at the late vegetative stage, and the remainder are at the germination stage.”
However, focusing on Beitbridge, he noted that the district had lost some crops due to late rains but that there had been significant replanting efforts.
“For those replanting, our advice is to consider ultra-early traditional grain varieties, as this is Region Five,” said Dr Masuka.
He explained that, overall, the crop condition across the country, including in the Mashonaland provinces, Manicaland, Masvingo and Matabeleland South, was looking very good. Indications suggest that the country will harvest enough to feed itself and replenish the national strategic grain reserves. To achieve the set goals and targets, Dr Masuka urged farmers to focus on better agronomic practices, including weeding, fertiliser application and scouting for pests and diseases, particularly fall armyworm and African armyworm.
“To livestock farmers, I want to thank them for their resilience, especially considering we are emerging from the most devastating drought in 43 years,” he said.
“We have lost fewer cattle than anticipated. Initially, we estimated that 50 percent of the national cattle herd of 5.7 million was at high risk of being affected by drought, yet less than one percent of the herd has been lost. As Government, we commend farmers for heeding the call to destock in order to save the rest of the cattle and for utilising the ward drought mitigation centres.”
Dr Masuka encouraged livestock farmers to take advantage of the favourable rainy season by cutting hay. He added that the Government would assist farmers in Matabeleland, Midlands and Masvingo by providing tractors and balers between April and June to aid in hay-cutting and preparation for the next dry season. “They must also follow advice from livestock development and agricultural extension officers on urea treatment of stover and ensure sufficient supplementation for their livestock,” said the minister.
