Staff Reporter

The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka,  has warned farmers to accelerate their 2021/22 farming activities before 15 January 2022.

Speaking during the National Young Farmer Champions Awards, Minister Masuka mentioned the late commencement of the season, albeit happy that it has begun.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let me hasten to add that the 2021/22 season is upon us.  Although there has been a delayed start to the season, the rains are finally upon us, throughout the country.

“I urge all farmers to expedite land preparation and planting,” Minister Masuka said.

Advising on the favourable varieties for the late season, Minister Masuka said, “Planting can continue to 15 January, and let us switch to short season maize varieties, traditional grains and sunflower.

He added that, “Government has made the bold and strategic decision to include sunflower and cotton as the primary oil seed crops alongside the conventional soya been.”

Recently the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) released the pre-planting producer price that will be effective from 1 April next year.

The prices are per metric tonne; maize ZWL58 553.25; traditional grains ZWL70 263.90; soya bean ZWL125 530.17 and sunflower ZWL 150 636.20.

This development has  potential to spur rural agricultural development, which will lead to rural industrialisation, in turn causing rural development facilitating the attainment of Vision 2030.