Online Reporter
Judith Phiri Zimpapers Business Hub
MATABELELAND North Province is set to conclude wheat harvesting on Wednesday as rains had disrupted the process with 98 percent of the crop harvested.
In an interview, Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) acting director for Matabeleland North, Mr Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu, said the province anticipated to have concluded the harvest by October 30, however there has been a delay due to weather disruptions.
“We are at 98 percent of 2 384 hectares and we were affected by rains, but if all goes well we should have concluded by Wednesday (November, 05). Some farmers are even harvesting at night,” he said.
Nationally, the country announced a record-shattering harvest of 622 141 tonnes to date from this year’s winter wheat season.
The unprecedented yield surpasses last year’s record of 562 091 tonnes, solidifying the country’s remarkable agricultural turnaround and strengthens its strategic food reserves.
With the harvest 96 percent complete and only 4 480 hectares (ha) remaining, this year’s output has already dwarfed the national annual demand of 360 000 tonnes, ensuring a substantial surplus.
Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South, production reached 14 316 tonnes and 18 134 tonnes, respectively, with both provinces achieving yields above five tonnes per hectare.
The achievement marks the third consecutive year Zimbabwe has broken its own wheat production record, signalling a sustained and strategic revival of a sector once hampered by climate and economic challenges.
Meanwhile, Mr Ndlovu said summer cropping preparations under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme were also underway with over 185 360 plots prepared so far, with most districts across the province currently busy.
He said: “Farmers are receiving training on climate-smart agriculture, weather patterns and crop variety selection. Agro-dealers have started stocking early-maturing seed varieties while traditional dry planting practices have remained prevalent in areas such as Tsholotsho. Farmers are proactively exchanging and buying seeds among themselves.”
The Government has assured the nation that preparations for the 2025/26 summer cropping season are at an advanced stage, with early input distribution already underway across the country as part of broader agricultural transformation efforts to ensure food security.
Recently the Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, said critical inputs were readily available and distribution was progressing smoothly.
“The preparations for the summer season are now well advanced. Seed for both maize and traditional grains is available and deliveries are being made to all areas as expeditiously as possible,” said Prof Jiri.
He said fertilisers were being transported to Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots nationwide, expressing confidence that the bulk of inputs would reach farmers before the onset of the rains, a development that sets a positive tone for the coming season.
“Fertilisers are also being moved to the GMB depots across the country for onward distribution to the farmers. We anticipate that the bulk of inputs will be with the farmers ahead of the start of the rains,” he said.
