Wheat harvest survey underway

Theseus Shambare

DATA collection from wheat producing areas is underway to determine this year’s total output, as the country seeks to consolidate wheat self-sufficiency and national food security.

The Provincial Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS) is getting data from ward-based extension officers, who have been equipped with motorcycles and internet-connected mobile tablets for mobility and communication, respectively, for real-time updates.

The Government is targeting 600 000 tonnes of wheat from the 120 000 hectares planted, with more than 455 000 tonnes already realised from 90 000 hectares to date.

The country is set to reap the rewards of a successful winter wheat season, with early indications pointing to a record-breaking harvest compared to 467 905 tonnes produced from 90 912 hectares planted last year.

The anticipated bumper harvest comes after a challenging El Niño-induced drought that depleted some of the country’s major water bodies.

Recent rainfall — while beneficial for replenishing these water sources — have posed a threat to the late-planted wheat crop.

Experts warn that early planting is crucial for optimal yields, with some farmers already achieving impressive results of up to eight tonnes per hectare.

In an interview, AARDS acting chief director Mr Leonard Munamati said data collection was underway and expected to be presented to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development any time soon.

“As our staff (provincial directors) continue to carry out surveys on the remaining harvest, we remain hopeful that the positive trends will contribute to a successful overall production season.

“The data collection is meant to assess the exact extent of the damage by rains,” said Mr Munamati.

Increased precipitation, he said, led to delays in wheat harvesting in several areas and farmers were facing challenges, as wet conditions made it difficult to access fields and complete harvesting on schedule.

“To protect our wheat, it is important to do an early summer rain escape.

“The rains that come after the wheat has reached physiological maturity, resulting in sprouting (grain germination in the ear) and downgrading of the wheat . . . ,” he said.

Zimbabwe has surpassed its winter wheat output target for the second successive season.

Chief director responsible for agricultural engineering, mechanisation, post-harvest agro-processing and soil conservation in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Engineer Edwin Zimunga said: “We can safely say setting new records has become part of our DNA. From the mechanisation view, we are now shifting focus to the summer cropping season.

“We have reason to celebrate, as our farmers really answered the call from the Government to fight for food security. It is clear that the initiatives are yielding results.”

Eng Zimunga said agricultural mechanisation equipment deployed countrywide had been critical throughout the season.

“We had over 14 000 tractors and at least 300 combine harvesters ready for the winter season, which were deployed in 22 mechanisation hubs accessible to farmers,” he said.

Zimbabwe requires 360 000 tonnes of wheat annually, for both human consumption and livestock.

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) said the new wheat records continued to bring hope for good and stable prices.

“From a consumer perspective, the bumper harvest of wheat has always been good news to us.

“We can significantly benefit from stable wheat prices and wheat-based products,” said CCZ chief executive Mrs Rosemary Mpofu.

“Excess wheat can be exported, generating vital foreign currency to boost our economy.”