Zimbabwe: Load Shedding Threatens Wheat Manufacturing

Mashonaland West Bureau — THE present load shedding being effected by Zimbabwe Electrical energy Transmission and Distribution Firm (ZETDC) has been cited by farmers as threatening this yr’s winter wheat yield output.

Talking this morning throughout a discipline day at his Chitomborwizi farm in Makonde district, Mr Penikat Magwada stated load shedding was a risk to the crop that he planted in June.

Whereas Authorities had assured wheat farmers of a non-load shedding season, the depressed era on the grid coupled with electrical energy demand has seen the facility utility restrict energy provide.

The nation has surpassed its winter wheat goal to about 80 000 hectares with the vast majority of it being funded beneath the Nationwide Enhanced Agriculture Manufacturing Scheme (NEAPS), Pfumvudza and the non-public sector.

Like most farmers within the space, Mr Magwada, who has 165 hectares beneath the crop, is considering dedicating the opposite portion which is at the moment constrained by low water provide for inventory feed.

Irrigated winter wheat requires an uninterrupted energy provide.

The Authorities has devoted funding in the direction of the combat towards quelea birds with the spraying of roosting areas underway.