Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Zimpapers Reporter
FARMERS in the Midlands Province have harvested 63 percent of the winter wheat crop averaging at least five tonnes per hectare.
The 2025 Midlands winter wheat target was 12 000 hectares, which the province surpassed by planting 12 025 hectares.
As the country enters the rainy season, the Government has stepped up efforts to ensure farmers have timely access to combine harvesters to complete the winter wheat harvest by the end of October.
The 2025 winter wheat season is expected to yield a record-breaking 600 000 tonnes from over 120 000 hectares planted across the country.
However, sporadic early rains in areas such as Bulawayo have raised concerns among farmers in Nyamandlovu and Umguza districts about potential crop losses.
Rain can damage wheat through waterlogging, pre-harvest sprouting, and reduced grain quality.
Earlier this month, a hailstorm at Tuli Makwe Irrigation Scheme in Gwanda District destroyed 72 hectares of wheat, significantly reducing expected yields from 360 tonnes to less than half and impacting Matabeleland South Province’s projected output of 21 000 tonnes.
In an interview, Director of Midlands Provincial Agricultural and Rural Advisory Services, Ms Busiso Olga Mavankeni, said harvesting is progressing well with 63 percent having been harvested by Wednesday.
“Midlands Province farmers started harvesting early and almost 63 percent of the planted area has been harvested. We have been receiving scattered showers, which have not had any significant effect on the wheat crop so far,” she said.
Ms Mavankeni said over 6 900ha has been harvested at average yield of five tonnes per hectare.
One of the farmers who has maintained dominance in winter wheat after planting 580 hectares of the crop is Mr Douglas Kwande of DCK farm.
The Kwekwe-based farmer, Mr Douglas Kwande, has continued to be bullish in winter wheat farming.
His 580 hectarage has contributed immensely to the provincial hectarage, which has surpassed the 12 000 hectarage mark that was set by Government.
In an interview, DCK farm manager Mr Duncan Magaya said they have finished harvesting the crop.
“We finished harvesting our winter wheat last week with an average of six tonnes per hectare.
“This whole process ensures we feed the nation, providing nutrition and create job opportunities along the way,” he said.
Mr Magaya attributed the success at the farm to hard hardwork, regardless of some challenges faced prior to the winter wheat farming season.
Leading producers in the district include DCK Farm and the First Family’s Pricabe Farm, which planted over 500 hectares.
Bongani Ndlovu