By Trevor Makonyonga
Government has said winter wheat plantings are now 53% above what was planted last year in the same season.
This was revealed in the post cabinet briefing by Information minister, Monica Mutsvangwa on Tuesday.
“Cabinet advises that of the 85 000 hectares planned for wheat, 62 879 hectares have been planted for the Presidential, National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Schemes/COMMAND/CBZ Agro-Yield and Private Sector Schemes. Plantings are 53% above what was planted last year.”
An update was also given on maize and other traditional grains where it was said a total of 296 443 mega tonnes of maize an increase of 306%; 29 205 mt of traditional grains, an increase of 1184%; and 10 198 mt of soya beans, an increase of 866% have been delivered to date to the Grain Marketing Board. The increase is an improvement from 2020 deliveries.
On tobacco, Cabinet advised that cumulative sales of 170 866 919 kg were realized this year valued at US468 926 709, 19% above last year. These changes were attributed to the prices which were 13% firmer than last year and delivery of better quality of the tobacco.
Of the reported 277 cases of illegal sales of tobacco, there have been 144 convictions to date. Total tobacco export shipments have reached 65 474 million kg (to over 50 destinations) as at 25 June 2021, 94% of tobacco had been sold under contract and 6% under auction. To date, decentralized selling points have handled 43% of the tobacco.
