Online Reporter
Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE is on course to achieve its winter wheat planting target of 125 000 hectares, with more than 95 000 hectares already planted despite delays caused by late maize harvesting in some parts of the country.
The Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Management, Professor Obert Jiri, said cooler temperatures set in earlier than usual, slowing maize drying and harvesting — particularly in the Mashonaland provinces. This delayed the transition to winter wheat production.
Speaking during a visit to Madzorera Farm in Nyabira, Zvimba District on Tuesday, Prof Jiri said about 30 000 hectares were still expected to be planted, mainly by farmers completing maize harvesting.
“We still have farmers harvesting maize, particularly in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central. As soon as they finish harvesting, they are moving into wheat production.”
Prof Jiri said farmers who plant wheat later than the recommended window should adjust their seed rates and fertiliser programmes to minimise the impact on yields.
He said the Government was allowing farmers still harvesting maize to proceed with wheat planting, but encouraged them to complete the exercise as quickly as possible.
“We do not expect planting to go beyond June 15 because after that, yields begin to decline significantly. Farmers who are still harvesting maize should transition into wheat production as expeditiously as possible.”
At Madzorera Farm, 54 hectares have been planted under wheat — 46 hectares under two centre pivots and eight hectares under conventional sprinkler irrigation.
Farm manager Mr Givemore Hodzi said they planted the AC Nduna variety on sprinkler-irrigated land.
“We are targeting yields of up to nine tonnes per hectare if power supplies remain stable. The crop has established well and we are optimistic of a good season.”
“The coming in of private buyers has helped improve marketing options for farmers and this has brought some relief,” Mr Hodzi said.
The farm operates under a joint venture between owner Mr Godfrey Madzorera and agricultural investor Mr Robert Hoey, in a partnership that enables the sharing of infrastructure, equipment and technical expertise.
Mr Hodzi said the arrangement had contributed to improved production efficiencies.
