“Nobody is willing to fund wheat production in the country,” he said.
Last year farmers only managed 4,000 hectares but there is no shortage in the country as there seems to be a preference for imported wheat.
“The bakers and millers are importing cheap wheat because locally produced wheat is more expensive,” he said.
Chabikwa said this year only 2,000 hectares had been planted by the end of the planting period.
Economic analyst John Robertson said wheat imports were likely to increase this year.
“Once again we will be importing almost all of our wheat. This is exactly what has been happening for more than five years and it is likely to be worse this time,” he said.
Robertson said this was not good for the country’s wider economic needs.
Chabikwa said there was need for government to come up with a new framework for wheat farming. He said there should be subsidies for local farmers.
“We must rely on our own crop and only import to augment when necessary,” he said.
Post published in: News