George Maponga in Masvingo
GOVERNMENT is targeting 65 000 hectares of winter wheat as it intensifies efforts boost production and cut down on imports.

Last year the target was 40 000ha.

Agriculture, Lands and Resettlement Deputy Minister Cde Davis Marapira confirmed the development yesterday.

He said financing mechanisms were already in place to ensure the target is achieved.

“Farmers will be getting inputs support from Government through the Command Agriculture programme, while others will grow the crop under contract farming because we are pulling all the stops to make sure we meet the projected target and reduce our wheat import bill,’’ he said.

Cde Marapira said some of the wheat farmers will finance themselves. Government is eyeing 200 000 tonnes of wheat.

“Our ultimate goal is to reduce our wheat import bill by making sure that this year we produce at least half of the nation’s annual wheat consumption of 400 000 tonnes,’’ he said.