Dorcas Rumano

Government will incentivise wheat farmers with reduced load shedding so as to increase the production of the crop this winter season, Harare Post has learnt.

Speaking before a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy and Power Development yesterday, Minister Fortune Chasi said the Government had advised ZESA to provide winter wheat farmers with electricity for four days in a week so that they maximise the production of the crop.

Minister Chasi said as Government, they would isolate critical institutions such as hospitals and clinics so that they get first preference on reduced load shedding.

The Minister said it was everyone’s responsibility to use electricity sparingly so as to save it and reduce rate of load shedding.

He said, “We have been producing 1100 MW of electricity against demand of 1500MW, so our capacity against our demand, we have shortages of between 400MW to 450MW. Load shedding is not like someone is just sitting somewhere and say I don’t want to give them power. From 7pm when we get home, we switch on our lights, if we have 15 rooms, all of them have lights on and stoves are on, that has implications on our consumptions. If you look at the graph, between 1800hours and 2100hours there is a huge spike, we need to change our consumption patterns as far as power is concerned.”

The energy Minister said Government departments, local authorities and individuals who owe ZESA should pay their bills so that the power company can improve its generation of electricity.

The Government has availed US$120 million towards procurement of inputs to support winter wheat production. Seventy five thousand hectares have been targeted for this year’s winter wheat season, with anticipation of higher yields set to improve domestic supply.