Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND is set to meet, and possibly exceed, its cereals production target of 341 980 metric tonnes after recent rains revived crops that had wilted during an unexpected fortnight‑long mid‑season dry spell.
Agricultural experts reported that the brief, but intense dry period in early February threatened to derail the province’s promising season, causing leaf curling and reduced turgor in maize, sorghum and millet fields across the seven districts in the province.
However, a swift return of normal rainfall over the past week allowed the affected plants to recover, with many fields now showing signs of renewed growth.
Experts this week urged farmers to continue with good agronomic practices, including timely weeding and fertiliser application, to capitalise on the recovered moisture.
Farmers in Chipinge, Mutare, Buhera, Mutasa, Makoni, Chimanimani and Nyanga districts, who were among the hardest hit, expressed relief at the turnaround.
The season began with above‑normal rainfall across Manicaland, prompting agricultural experts to advise farmers to apply top‑dressing in more than one split application to prevent nutrient loss through leaching.
The prospect of a record harvest marks a positive turnaround after the devastating El Nino‑induced drought of the 2023/24 farming season.
In an interview on the state of the crop situation, Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services director for Manicaland, Mr Nhamo Mudada said preliminary assessments show that a bumper harvest remains achievable and no reports of crop write‑off have been received.
Mr Mudada, who has been on a whirlwind tour of all districts in the province this week to assess the crop situation, stated that the targeted harvest margins have not changed.
“We are finalising the assessment, but as of now, the cereal target remains as it is. We received some rains in the province over the past few days.
‘‘The rains received after the short dry spell have rejuvenated farmers’ morale. Most of our cereal crops, which were in need of moisture, have been revitalised. We hope to continue receiving these rains until harvest time. As of now, no reports of crop write‑off have been received by this office. Across the province, we are witnessing temporarily wilted crops recovering from the reduced moisture availability brought by the dry spell,” said Mr Mudada.
He went on to advise farmers to be ready for winter cropping.
“We are now asking our farmers to be ready for winter cropping. We look forward to a good winter cropping programme. Farmers are advised to plant their wheat within the winter‑wheat planting window in order to achieve high yields. Those who planted their cereals in November should make sure they are ready to harvest and then finalise their winter cropping programme,” said Mr Mudada.
He added that humid conditions before the short dry spell will spur a record harvest.
“About 12 percent of maize was planted by November 30, 2025. We anticipate a good harvest from this crop, while 42 percent was planted in December 2025,” he said.
Regarding the anticipated amount and quality of the tobacco crop, Mr Mudada said: “Tobacco is being harvested now; we await the results from CLAFA assessments.
“Tobacco is already being harvested from fields that were planted early. With favourable weather in the second half of the season, we are again optimistic about good tobacco yields. We are encouraging growers to plant beans and sweet potatoes. We are also urging farmers to start preparing fully for winter crops. We need to record a high hectarage of wheat this winter, as in the previous winter, and the same for barley and potatoes,” he said.
