Bindura wheat farmers fret over erratic power supplies
Source: Bindura wheat farmers fret over erratic power supplies – NewsDay Zimbabwe
OVER 90 wheat farmers in Bindura, Mashonaland Central province, have raised alarm over erratic power supply which they said was affecting irrigation of the crop, NewsDay has learnt.
The farmers, who planted over 6 000 hectares of wheat, said faults which have seen their power supply being erratic for a month will impact negatively on yields.
Bindura agronomist Witness Nezandoyi said some of the wheat was at flowering stage, where water was very critical.
“The wheat which you see now needs water, otherwise yields will fall day by day, hence electricity supply should always be available to help farmers achieve a better yield,” he said.
Selwood Farm owner Shingirai Bite, whose 100 hectares is under wheat, said he was in despair as his 560-tonne potential yield was decimating by the day.
“Some areas have wilted, the dams are full, but what we do not have is electricity to irrigate our wheat,” he said.
Taona Gezi said: “We got inputs on time and did land preparation in time, but no power here, hence our efforts are in vain.”