Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter
FARMERS in Matabeleland North Province have planted nearly 70 percent of the targeted winter wheat hectarage, positioning the province for a strong season as they race to meet the 15 June planting deadline.
The province has set a target of 3 000 hectares under winter wheat this year and has so far planted 1 907 hectares, while 1 974 hectares have been prepared for planting.
Provincial Agritex officer Mr Sibangilizwe Dlodlo said 2 300 hectares had been registered for production, representing 77 percent of the provincial target.
“The province has now achieved 66 percent land preparation and 64 percent planting, and we are confident that the remaining gap can be closed as the planting window draws to a close,” said Mr Dlodlo.
He attributed the progress to strong performances in Bubi and Lupane districts, where irrigation schemes and contractor support have played a key role in accelerating planting operations.
According to Mr Dlodlo, Bubi has already surpassed its performance for the same period last year, while Lupane’s Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda)-linked irrigation schemes continue to register steady progress despite challenges posed by quelea birds and intermittent power outages.
“Binga, Hwange and Nkayi remain behind largely due to irrigation breakdowns, vandalism of infrastructure and late uptake of inputs. Umguza, though performing moderately, has been affected by seed shortages, forcing some farmers to collect inputs from neighbouring districts,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Mr Dlodlo said the province remains optimistic due to adequate water reserves in major dams supporting irrigation agriculture.
He said dams such as Umguza, Tshongogwe, Bubi-Lupane, Hauke, Lungwalala and Kalope currently hold sufficient water to sustain irrigation throughout the production cycle.
“This has ensured that farmers who have planted can irrigate consistently through the crop cycle. The next few days are critical, with tillage equipment mobilisation, input redistribution and urgent irrigation repairs expected to unlock the remaining hectarage,” said Mr Dlodlo.
He added that preparations were already underway to minimise post-harvest losses through the early mobilisation of combine harvesters.
“The province is on a positive trajectory. With the current pace and support interventions, Matabeleland North is positioned to deliver a strong winter wheat season,” he said.
The winter wheat programme remains a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s food security strategy, with Government and private-sector partners supporting farmers through irrigation development, mechanisation and input provision aimed at boosting national grain production.
Nationally, Zimbabwe is on course to achieve its winter wheat planting target of 125 000 hectares, with more than 95 000 hectares already planted.
The remaining 30 000 hectares are expected to be planted in the coming days, mainly by farmers completing maize harvesting in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central provinces.
Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri recently said cooler-than-normal temperatures had slowed maize drying and harvesting, delaying the transition from summer cropping to winter wheat production in some areas.
Zimbabwe is targeting a record winter wheat harvest of 662 500 tonnes this season as Government intensifies efforts to consolidate food self-sufficiency and build strategic grain reserves.
