Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
MASHONALAND East province is edging closer to meeting and surpassing this winter wheat season target, as the province continues to play a key role in the quest to ensure the nation is wheat self-sufficient.
As wheat farmers enter the final phase of the 2026 winter cropping season, planting momentum continues to build, with farmers working to complete field establishment before the June 15 deadline.
Mashonaland East has emerged as a key constituency in Zimbabwe’s pursuit of wheat self-sufficiency, with the province pushing to meet 25 000 hectares target this winter under the 2026 Winter Cereals Plan.
In an interview with Zimpapers in Marondera, acting provincial director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources, Mr Nomatter Manunure, said as of Monday, the province has planted more than 23000 ha, and more would be planted in the next week.
“The province has over 23000 hectares (90 per cent) successfully established against 18986ha (76 percent) in the same period last year, and more hectares are expected in the coming days, to meet the target of 25000 ha,” he said.
“The Province remains on course to achieve its winter wheat target, strengthening national food security ahead of the anticipated drier 2026/27 summer season. About 2000 hectares remain to be planted to meet the provincial target of 25,000 hectares.
“We urge farmers to expedite field preparations and adopt appropriate agronomic practices to maximise yields. The early-planted winter wheat crop is reported to be in excellent condition, showing uniform germination and robust vegetative growth.”
Mr Manunure highlighted that high farmer confidence is driving this season’s success across multiple tiers.
“While the total number of farmers is still being collated under the National Enhancement of Agricultural Production Systems (NEAPS), private contracting, Presidential Inputs Programme, ARDA-supported irrigation schemes, joint ventures, and self-financed commercial growers have become the backbone of wheat production in the province,” he said.
“Exceptional commitment is visible among both highly mechanised commercial joint ventures and self-financed independent growers.
“Smallholder and communal irrigation schemes have seen a massive wave of participation, expanding from previous target baselines.”
In terms of inputs, Mr Manunure said the government has moved to de-risk the season by locking in critical inputs.
“Through the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution Company (ZETDC), Government has ring-fenced an adequate supply of electricity for winter wheat irrigation,” he said.
“National and farm dam levels stand to provide an adequate water supply for the whole winter season.
“All inputs under the Presidential Input Scheme were distributed on time before the planting window. Farmers received seed, basal and top-dressing fertiliser, and herbicides.”
Currently, Mashonaland East Province is the second largest producer, together with Mashonaland Central Province, after Mashonaland West Province.
For this season, Zimbabwe is targeting about 125000 ha under wheat and about 662 500 tones of wheat, with indications pointing to a successful winter wheat season, and Mashonaland East Province remains central to national wheat security.
