- A record target of 340 000 tonnes is expected
- Farmers urged to collect bird repellent from nearest GMB depots
- The country requires 360 000 tonnes of wheat annually
Harare - The government has procured bird repellent to facilitate efficient control of quelea birds that have been reportedly found in all provinces to protect the winter wheat from the gregarious grain-eating birds.
In a post-cabinet briefing yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa, said the government has begun a nationwide identification of roosting places of quelea birds.
“Farmers should assist by providing surveillance information on the roosting places, and additionally can collect bird repellent from their nearest GMB depots to protect their crops,” said Mutsvangwa.
Mutsvangwa added that, “The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has been engaged to ensure efficient control of the birds”.
According to the Plant Quarantine and Plant Protection Research Services Institute as quoted by The Herald, about 95 percent of wheat damage is due to quelea birds.
Last year, a total of 180 000 tonnes of wheat were delivered to the GMB and if the 340 000 tonnes target is met, it will be a record.
The largest single harvest in history was in 1990 when 325 000 tonnes were harvested.
The country needs 360 000 tonnes of wheat annually and with a target of 340 000 tonnes met, it means the country will import less to cover for the remaining quantity.
Meanwhile, wheat contractors have been urged to put in place harvesting and transport logistics to help farmers as a means of eliminating side marketing of the commodity.
The country’s current wheat stocks at 81 419 metric tonnes are expected to be sufficient until next season, which is likely to commence in September.
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