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Midlands Bureau Chief
FARMERS under the Presidential Winter Wheat Programme in Muchipisi area under Chief Mataruse in Mberengwa East are targeting a yield in excess of five tonnes per hectare after putting more than 60 hectares under wheat this season.

Located in Muchipisi Village of Mberengwa District in the semi-arid Midlands province, Muchipisi Irrigation Scheme has transformed the lives of more than 80 smallholder farmers.

The wheat crop is already at the booting stage-hence the farmers are expecting a good harvest compared to the last winter cropping season.

With the 60 hectares under winter wheat, Muchipisi Irrigation Scheme farmers have played a part in contributing to the national winter wheat target.

Farmers across the country met the winter wheat planting target of 75 000 hectares which is expected to produce more than 383 000 metric tonnes, which will be sufficient to meet the country’s needs.

This year’s winter wheat programme was designed to ensure that Zimbabwe attains self-sufficiency to insulate itself from the impact on global food supplies of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.

The ongoing conflict and disruption of food exports have significantly pushed global wheat prices up.

Russia and Ukraine account for nearly 30 percent of global wheat exports combined, and since war broke out months ago, wheat prices have hit record highs, with food and agricultural experts warning of increased global food insecurity.

What makes the farmers’ success story unique is that they are using water from Buchwa mountain.

Towering 1 000m above the surrounding landscape the isolated Buchwa mountain must be one of the most surreal places in Zimbabwe but is unique for locals who are using its water to irrigate winter wheat and gardens.

The water seeps all year round at the bottom of the mountain from a huge well that was left unreclaimed when iron mining was abandoned.

So more than 80 farmers have dug earth canals along the mountain to get water which they use for irrigation purposes.

Mrs Violet Dewa who is one of the farmers from Muchipisi area, Ward 4 said they have used water from Buchwa mountain to irrigate crops.

“We don’t have a dam but rather we use water from the Buchwa mountain.

They used to mine iron ore before the mining was abandoned.

The company didn’t rehabilitate the huge hole on top of the mountain which has over the years accumulated a lot of water.

Now the water is coming through the bottom of the mine.

So as farmers, we have dug earth canals and we give each other turns to water the wheat.

We don’t have a dam, just water from the mountain,” she said.

Another farmer Ms Agnes Masunda commended the Government for the Agritex officers whom she said have been imparting knowledge on how to have higher yields.

“We want to thank our Agritex officers and the Government for the knowledge they give us and also the inputs.

We are anticipating a good harvest this winter season because we got everything on time so this season is for us.

We are targeting a yield in excess of five tonnes per hectare after putting more than 60 hectares under wheat this season,” she said.

“If we were to get modern irrigation equipment we would do wonders.”

Member of Parliament of Mberengwa East Cde Marko Raidza commended the farmers for coming together and agreeing to grow one crop.

He said they were assured of putting their produce together and selling to GMB at the same time cutting unnecessary costs.

Cde Raidza stressed the Government’s commitment to improving people’s lives through irrigation schemes and supporting smallholder farmers.

“What these farmers are doing is beyond expectations.

They agreed to have winter wheat which is doing very well.

They are working as a unit and this can be an irrigation scheme if properly set up.

We are working hard to fulfill our President’s 2030 vision, paying much attention to the issue of food security.

We will continue to support our farmers with requisite equipment, inputs and support so that our communities are uplifted.

Vision 2030 is achievable if we work together in unison and one force,” he said.

Cde Raidza said exciting times are coming in the rural constituency.

“The uniqueness of this programme in my constituency is that the majority of those who are participating in this Presidential Programme are women and youth.

The farmers have planted about 60 hectares.

The expected yield is five tonnes per hectare.

This is a game changer on empowerment and food security,” he said.

“I would like to lobby the Government to improve the utilisation of the water from the mountain,” he said.

Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi, Director, Agricultural and Rural Development Services from Development of Agricultural, Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS) commended the farmers working together.

“I am happy to note that through such contributions from smallholder farmers, as a province we have surpassed the winter wheat target by over 1 000 ha.

We have some other private sector players who contributed to the matrix.

We have CBZ Agro that has since surpassed its target.

Another financier AFC and the Presidential Support Scheme have also surpassed their targets.

It’s a promising season and we hope to make significant contributions towards the national demand.

We had a target of 6 450 hectares but we are now at 7 625 hectares,” she said.

Mrs Magwenzi also urged farmers to embrace training on winter wheat management to avoid aborting the crop.

She said the crop is a very crucial crop this time due to the conflict in Ukraine.

“We have to be self-sufficient without fail.

The Midlands piece of cake will have a great input towards the national target,” she said.

The winter wheat planting period, which was supposed to end on June 30, was extended following a huge demand on the global market due to Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.