Capitalk Reporter/ The Herald |  11 months ago | local

Government has started implementing home-grown solutions to ensure local manufacture of fertilisers for increased wheat production as part of efforts to counter the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has impacted on global wheat and fertiliser stocks.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Dr. John Bhasera yesterday said Zimbabwe had already started making inroads to producing more wheat, with this year’s yield expected to be much better than previous years.

Dr. Bhasera said Government is working with other private sector players in supporting the local manufacture component for fertilisers and the country has a five-year local manufacture of fertiliser roadmap so that it can able to look inward, especially at input level.

Zimbabwe needs at least 400 000 tonnes of wheat a year to meet its flour demand.

With more than 85 000 hectares expected to be placed under wheat production this winter, and last year’s major jump in yields, Zimbabwe is likely to meet the targets and achieve self-sufficiency for the first time ever.

Agriculture contributes 15 percent to national Gross Domestic Product, but is expected to increase to over 20 percent by 2025 as enshrined in the National Development Strategy 1.

Wheat and fertilizer shortages have resulted from the disruption of shipping owing to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has also resulted in price increases for the vital crop. Russia and Ukraine export more than a quarter of the world's wheat, providing bread, pasta, and other meals to billions of people.