By Maricho Reporter

About 65% of the wheat harvest is expected by the end of this month, according to an Update Report on the 2021 Winter Wheat Production and Summer Crops Marketing, which was presented to Cabinet by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka.
Zimbabwe expects 298 961 MT from the 66 435. 86 hectares planted under the Presidential, NEAPS/Command/CBZ Agro-Yield and Private Sector schemes at a yield level of 4.5 tonnes per hectare against the national requirement of 360 000 MT.
The winter wheat crop is “generally good across all provinces, and the major activities on the farms include spraying of chemicals for pest control, top dressing and routine irrigation”.
Meanwhile, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has designated 18 intake depots for collecting wheat, and is purchasing quality control equipment as well as accelerating grain movement from the northern depots to the southern depots. Allocation of combine harvesters and transporters is being finalized by the AFC and GMB.
Regarding the delivery of the other strategic grains, the top 10 maize depots have received 57% of the expected maize, the top 10 traditional grains depots have received 78% of the intake, while the top 10 soyabean depots have received 77% of the deliveries to date. Maize intake has increased by 547%, traditional grains by 726% and soyabean intake by 914% this season compared to the same time last year.
Maize
A total of $1.5 billion was received from Treasury last week and cumulative receipts now amount to $33 038 772 364.37. Grain delivered to date is valued at $34 999 313 710.01 giving an outstanding balance of $1 960, 541 345.64.
Tobacco
In terms of preparations for the forthcoming summer season, some 83 938 farmers have registered for 2021/22 tobacco season compared to 79 134 farmers that had registered at the same time last year, translating to a 6% increase. Planting of the irrigated crop is in progress and 5 803 hectares have been established to date as compared to 4 029 hectares planted at the same period last year, which is 44% higher. This is due to the better rains last season and improved water supply situation. As part of the localization of the financing of tobacco, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has floated tenders for the supply of fertilizers and chemicals.
Cotton
Concerning cotton deliveries, the value of the seed cotton delivered to date stands at ZW$ 6.353 billion. Cottco has paid a total of ZW$2.226 billion and US$2 809 539 to farmers. Regarding the 2020 outstanding farmer payments, ZW$569 million has been released by Treasury and paid to farmers and a balance of ZW$290 million is still outstanding.