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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
FARMERS in Umguza District in Matabeleland North have raised concern over rampant vandalism of electricity infrastructure which they say is adversely affecting their irrigation projects.
Zimbabwe is an agrarian economy with most of the country’s sectors being directly and indirectly linked to the agriculture sub-sector.

The Second Republic has made food security a top priority and is working towards a US$8,2 billion agriculture industry economy, contributing 20 percent of GDP by 2025.

Farmers said vandalism of transformers is disrupting their irrigation operations as they are going for long periods without power resulting in their crops wilting.

Zimbabwe is this year expected to harvest 380  000 tonnes against a national annual demand of 360 000 tonnes thereby recording a surplus for the first time.

The record wheat harvest will result in the country saving a lot of foreign currency which used to be spent on importing wheat.
Government recently announced that it will be buying ordinary grade of wheat for US$620 per tonne and US$682 per tonne for premium grade.

Farmers will, however, be paid 33 percent in foreign currency while 67 percent will be in local currency.

The harvesting of wheat is in full swing across the country.

Farmers have, however, complained that their operations are being disrupted by lack of electricity due to vandalism of infrastructure.

Speaking during a wheat field day at Mr George Kudya’s farm in Umguza District, Thembanani Co-operative chairman Mr Gilbert Sibanda said their operations were being disrupted by thieves vandalising power infrastructure.

“This vandalism of infrastructure is adversely affecting our operations as we go for long periods without irrigating our crops due to lack of electricity. We had six hectares of wheat that we planted but failed to irrigate the crop because there was no power,” he said.

Mr Sibanda said some of the damaged transformers have since been replaced but the damage had already been done.

Matabeleland North is one of the provinces that increased winter wheat production this year as the country moves to ensure wheat self-sufficiency.

The province increased the hectarage from 950 hectares last year to 2 860 hectares this year.

Speaking during the same event, Umguza District Agritex officer Mr Thulani Ndlovu urged farmers to deliver their crop to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).

“Government gave us inputs and we have to reciprocate by selling our wheat to the GMB,” he said.

Mr Ndlovu urged farmers to pay other services providers such as the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) so that they continue enjoying the services..

He lauded Mr Kudya for adhering to good agronomic practices which saw him recording a good harvest.

Mr Kudya is expecting to harvest nine tonnes of wheat per hectare and has 28 hectares under winter wheat.

The farm manager, Mr Maxwell Ndebele said they expect to start harvesting at the end of this month.

“We planted 28 hectares, which is an increase from last year. We did not face any challenges and we are confident that we are going to harvest at least nine tonnes per hectare,” he said. – @nqotshili