Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
Herald Reporter
WHEAT farmers have harvested over 50 000 tonnes of the crop during this winter wheat season, marking major progress toward this year’s record-breaking target.
Zimbabwe is targeting to harvest around 600 000 tonnes of wheat from over 120 000 hectares planted this winter, thanks to improved planning, timely Government input distribution and mechanisation support.
The country requires about 360 000 tonnes of wheat annually for domestic consumption, leaving a projected surplus of more than 200 000 tonnes that will help build strategic reserves and reduce import dependency.
In an interview on Tuesday, Agriculture and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) chief director Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi said the harvest was progressing well across the provinces, with yields exceeding expectations.
“In terms of winter production, we have made great strides. As I speak right now, we have harvested 8 060 hectares, producing 50 117 tonnes, which is very good,” she said.
Mrs Magwenzi said the national average yield currently stands at 6,2 metric tonnes per hectare, well above the targeted five tonnes per hectare.
She attributed the success to early planting, improved access to irrigation and Government support through mechanisation and input schemes.
“This is because of the early crop that we had. I want to remove all fears from farmers — worry not. We had some drizzles last week, even some storms in other places, but this was just a passing phase,” she said.
She added that the country is expected to complete harvesting before the onset of the main rains.
“The truth is that we are going to receive our rains in mid-November. By then, all the wheat will be harvested. We have a very dry, hot October and a very hot, dry first two weeks of November, which gives us a beautiful window to harvest all our wheat on time,” said Mrs Magwenzi.
Farmers across the country have echoed the optimism.
Mr Patrick Matadi, a farmer from Lions Den in Mashonaland West, who is harvesting 30 hectares, said the yields have been encouraging.
“We managed to plant on time and got inputs early through ARDA support. Our yields are ranging between six and seven tonnes per hectare, which is a big improvement from last season,” he said.
In Mazowe District, Mrs Ester Makwara, a smallholder farmer, said she is preparing to harvest in the coming days.
“This year everything went smoothly — we planted early, used the recommended fertiliser and had access to irrigation water. The crop looks promising, and I am confident we will get better yields,” she said.
The Government, through ARDAS and its partners, has been strengthening farmer preparedness by providing inputs, irrigation equipment and technical support under the Wheat Intensification Programme.
