Delivery of winter wheat to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has been slowed down by fuel shortages with only 22 316 metric tonnes having been delivered so far, an official has revealed.
BY FIDELITY MHLANGA
GMB general manager Rockie Mutenha told the Zimbabwe Wheat Conference in Harare last week that at least 123 000 metric tonnes of wheat were expected from the 34 703 hectares planted this year.
However, Mutenha lamented that the fuel shortages, which have crippled the economy in the past three weeks, were negatively impacting on deliveries.
“As of October 11, 22 316 metric tonnes has been delivered to the Grain Marketing Board. The delivery has been affected by the current fuel shortages and lack of combine harvesters,” he said.
This year 23 598 hectares was under command agriculture and 11 105 hectares was privately contracted.
Zimbabwe reached peak wheat output after producing 250 000 metric tonnes from 70 000 hectares in 2004.
The country requires between 350 000 to 400 000 tonnes of wheat per annum.
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Meanwhile, Lands and Agriculture deputy dinister Vangelis Haritatos urged farmer organisations to desist from imposing levies on their members that were not commensurate with the services they offered.
Haritatos said in line with the Zimbabwe Agriculture Investment Plan 2017-2021 government recognised the need for increased participation by farmers in domestic and export markets.
