Bumper harvest expected

Zimpapers Writer

Preliminary assessments indicate a highly promising agricultural season, with the potential for record-breaking harvests.

This comes as Government is set to complete the first round of the Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment for the 2025/2026 agricultural season this month.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, permanent secretary Professor Obert Jiri said he was optimistic about this season.

“Crop assessment is underway and results are pointing to good harvests. We have been receiving good rainfall across the country, leading to significant improvements in crops and livestock. The condition of crops is now adequate across all provinces and the livestock situation has vastly improved.”

Farmers have planted 1 885 833 hectares of maize, with notable contributions from various provinces: Mashonaland West has planted 354 627 ha, Midlands 300  079 ha, Manicaland 274 905 ha, Mashonaland Central 273 043 ha and Mashonaland East 249 490 ha.

In addition, statistics from the Agricultural Rural Development Advisory Services (Ardas) revealed that farmers in Mashonaland Central have planted 2 353 ha of rapoko, 37 847 ha of groundnuts, 5 359 ha of sugarbeans, 853 ha of roundnuts, 10 674 ha of African pea, 22 428 ha of soyabean, 5 008 ha of pearl millet, 2 365 ha of sweet potato, 10 303 ha of sunflower and 26 678 ha of cotton.

Similarly, in Mashonaland West, farmers have cultivated 375 ha of rapoko, 14 379 ha of groundnuts, 4 708 ha of sugarbeans, 2 697 ha of roundnuts, 3 930 ha of African pea, 29 158 ha of soyabean, 5 045 ha of pearl millet, 2 493 ha of sweet potato, 4 540 ha of sunflower and 7  870 ha of cotton.

Furthermore, in Mashonaland East, farmers have planted 6  029 ha of rapoko, 44 939 ha of groundnuts, 4 432 ha of soyabean, 4 672 ha of roundnuts, 13 416 ha of African pea, 2 125 ha of soyabean, 2 847 ha of pearl millet, 4 286 ha of sweet potato, 5 128 ha of sunflower and 1 930 ha of cotton.

In the Midlands, farmers have cultivated 2 665 ha of rapoko, 35  873 ha of groundnuts, 722 ha of sugarbean, 7 610 ha of roundnuts, 7 433 ha of African pea, 5 004 ha of soyabean, 19 137 ha of pearl millet, 2 303 ha of sweet potatoes, 16 759 ha of sunflower and 41 125 ha of cotton.

Experts say crops are thriving across various growth stages, from early vegetative to tasseling stages, and an above-average harvest is anticipated due to the favourable rainfall patterns.

Surveys show that the majority of crops are in excellent condition, leading to high hopes for yields that exceed initial expectations. Livestock conditions similarly show significant improvement, attributed primarily to better pasture availability.

Experts encouraged farmers to be vigilant on pest scouting and adhere to regular weeding to support crop health.

While the general livestock condition is categorised as fair to good, the wet conditions present increased risks for tick-borne diseases such as Theileriosis.

The Meteorological Services Department has projected that Zimbabwe will receive above-normal rainfall this year and the rains are expected to resume by the end of the week.

Government initiatives play a crucial role in supporting this positive trend. Programmes like the “tick grease blitz,” aimed at managing the ticks problem and pastoral development initiatives are being implemented to bolster the agricultural sector.

Chief Director in the Directorate of Veterinary Services, Dr Pious Makaya, underscored the critical importance of regular monitoring and control of tick populations to safeguard livestock health.

“Acaricide resistance monitoring has become increasingly crucial. This ongoing surveillance evaluates how different tick species resist specific dipping chemicals. Understanding the evolutionary patterns of ticks enables the Government to prevent dipping failures, ensuring that farmers can effectively manage and protect their herds.”

He added that while the incidence of Theileriosis is relatively low and stable, vigilance remains paramount. Peak cases of the disease typically occur between February and March, making regular dipping schedules essential for managing risks associated with Theileriosis, whose symptoms — including high fever, weakness and loss of appetite.

Despite the overall positive outlook, potential risks associated with heavy rainfall must be considered. The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has raised alarms regarding rising national dam levels and increased river flows, warning of potential flooding in downstream areas.

Communities have been advised to adopt vigilant, proactive measures to safeguard their crops and livestock, with farmers encouraged to implement effective drainage systems and maintain awareness of flood risks.

With a set target of 1,8 million hectares for maize cultivation, reports indicate that the maize hectarage has already reached 1 885 833 hectares, surpassing the target by five percent. Other crops such as sorghum and pearl millet, have also seen impressive increases in planted hectarage.