The Government has engaged tobacco farmers to take up winter wheat farming in a move aimed at increasing wheat production and ensuring adequate wheat stocks in the country.
Cabinet on Tuesday approved the move following a presentation on the matter by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka. Part of the post-Cabinet media briefing reads:
Pertaining to wheat, Cabinet reports that in order to increase the hectarage under wheat as well as increase the output, tobacco farmers will be roped in to grow the crop.
The transition to winter wheat by tobacco farmers is a welcome move and will go a long way in boosting the supply of the cereal so that we have sufficient domestic stocks.
Cabinet is pleased to report that the country has sufficient fertilizers for winter-wheat farming.
Efforts are also being made to guarantee fertiliser supplies for the summer season.