WATCH: Mary Ellen Farm wraps up winter wheat cropping, targets 10 tonnes per hectare

Mary Ellen Farm in Bubi District, Matabeleland North is wrapping up winter wheat cropping Wednesday targeting 10 tonnes per hectare from 277 hectares planted as precision agriculture is also driving the crop yield increment.

A modern, data-driven management strategy has been adopted that uses technologies like global positioning system (GPS), internet of things (IoT) sensors and drones among others to increase yields, reduce waste and enhance sustainability.

It allows the farm workers to apply the precise amount of resources, fertiliser, water and pesticides at the right time and place.

The development comes at a time Zimbabwe is targeting to produce at least 662 000 tonnes of winter wheat this season, the highest output in history as the country moves to ensure self-sufficiency and build strategic grain reserves.

In an interview after touring Mary Ellen Farm on Tuesday, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira commended them for planting within the stipulated timeframe.

“We are here at Mary Ellen Farm in Bubi District, Matabeleland North. We are on a fact-finding mission where we are checking on our farmers the state of preparedness and their activities on the farms for the 2026 winter season.

“Here we have a crop planted on the 1st of April. When we were checking with the farmer, he was telling us that he is looking at an average of 10 tonnes per hectare, but that is after all things are put in place,” he said.

“Again, considering that no other eventualities will affect their crop such as frost which can affect the yield especially for a crop on its fruit stage. I am happy with the development here in Matabeleland North, especially here at Mary Ellen Farm. They have planted 250 hectares and are targeting to plant over 270 hectares.”

He said he commended them for finishing planting by Wednesday with the reminder 27 hectares and advised farmers to expedite cropping as the early planting stage was between April 15, to May 15, so that they can maximise their yields.

The Deputy Minister said also applauded the strength of research and innovation at Mary Ellen Farm to increase yields.

“The farmer takes much of his time researching from the international world on the best way of achieving a 10 tonne club out of wheat production.

“So, that is exactly what we should do when we go out there to teach our community irrigation schemes on how best they can up their yields from an average of three tonnes to at least six tonnes,” he added.

“It starts from the field, not from the six tonnes going down to the field. We start producing the six tonnes from how we look after our soils, how we come in with our water and chemicals to do away with anything which can affect the crop. That obviously that comes out of good management.”