FARMERS SHUN WHEAT

Little wheat will be grown in Zimbabwe this year unless the Government provides funds.
With only less than three weeks to the wheat planting deadline of May 15 in the Lowveld and May 25 in other areas, most farmers who had been willing to produce the crop have

started panicking since there has not been any announcement of a funding facility. Irrigated wheat grown in Zimbabwe can be more expensive than imported wheat so local production requires Government intervention.

Most farmers said even if the funding is availed it would be too late to grow the crop and realise meaningful profits. Zimbabwe Farmers Union second vice president, Mr Berean Mukwende said most wheat farmers were pinning their hopes on the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe, which had shown an interest in funding wheat production but has changed heart.

Mr Mukwende attacked the millers for withdrawing the funding facility at the eleventh hour and said this has worsened the situation.

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