To shore up the country’s agricultural resilience, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has further guaranteed 150 megawatts (MW) of electricity exclusively for winter wheat production.
The power ring-fencing comes at a critical time, as farmers across the country intensify planting and irrigation activities for the winter wheat season.
The initiative is a strategic intervention by ZETDC, aimed at ensuring energy reliability during the peak farming cycle, which is heavily dependent on consistent power supply for irrigation systems and related mechanised operations.
“ZETDC is ensuring support of the winter wheat season by ring-fencing 150 MW of electricity for wheat farming, recognising electricity as a crucial input for winter wheat production,” said the utility firm on its X account.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development are also collaborating to ensure that both electricity and water inputs are readily available throughout the season.
Stakeholders in the agricultural sector are hopeful that this proactive step by ZETDC will translate into increased yields and sustained momentum toward national food security.
As wheat farmers fire up their pivots and irrigation pumps this winter, the ring-fenced 150 MW stands as a critical enabler in the national drive to grow more wheat locally and meet consumption targets head-on.
A target of 600,000 tonnes has been set for wheat this season.
The country requires 360,000 tonnes of wheat for consumption annually.