From Sydney Mubaiwa in CHIREDZI
Harvesting of irrigated maize grown by Lowveld sugar producer Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe in partnership with the Masvingo Development Trust is set for next week.

About 1 500 tonnes of grain are expected to be harvested from over 327 hectares planted.
Acting Masvingo provincial Agritex officer Mr Aaron Muchazivepi yesterday said harvesting should have started, had it not been for the wet spell which made it difficult to access the maize fields.

“Harvesting is now expected to kick off next week. The crop is now ready for harvesting, but the prevailing wet spell poses challenges for a combine harvester,” said Mr Muchazivepi.

Mr Muchazivepi said plans were afoot to expand the project to cover other crops like soya beans, sugar beans and wheat.
“As a province, we must always try to adapt to climate change, which continues to affect us on a daily basis,” he said.

“More companies should take a lead from Tongaat to shield the country from the ravages of climate change which are spawning food shortages.

“Companies like Tongaat Hullet deserve Government support because they are helping our people.
“This philanthropic gesture should be commended since it is going to help Masvingo Province.”

He said several agricultural research stations in the province were supposed to identify crops which can be grown in arid regions to boost Masvingo’s food security.

“We are satisfied that Tongaat Hullet has the potential and capacity to make a genuine contribution in irrigation farming that can sustain the province and we are calling those with irrigation facilities to up their game and utilise fully the available natural resources to enhance food security,” he said.
Masvingo is home to many dams that could be exploited to produce food and cash crops under irrigation.