Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo and Theseus Shambare
WHEAT planting is almost done as over 105 000 hectares of the targeted 120 000 hectares of the cereal have already been planted, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere has said.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Dr Muswere said the winter production targets were 600 000 tonnes for wheat, 39 000 tonnes barley and 236 000 tonnes of potatoes.
“Cabinet noted the update on the 2024-2025 summer crops marketing and 2025 winter wheat production programme. As of June 5, 2025, significant progress has been made in planting, with 105 663ha already planted under wheat across various regions.
“In terms of barley production, 6 115ha has been planted, being 94,1 percent of the target, while for potatoes, a total of 3 417 ha has been planted against a target of 8 750 ha.”
Dr Muswere said deliveries of grains and oilseeds to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) from the 2024-2025 summer production season are on an upward trend, with resources being mobilised to ensure timely payments for the anticipated deliveries of between 120 000 and 150 000 tonnes.
As of June 5, the Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) holds 80 208 tonnes, while the private sector’s maize stocks stand at 48 293 tonnes.
On cotton, this season’s sales are projected to reach 61 000 tonnes, significantly surpassing last season’s total of 13 600 tonnes.
“To facilitate these sales, a total of 697 buying points have been established, comprising 221 permanent stations and 476 mobile units.
“To ensure fair trade practices, strict guidelines have been put in place and no cotton bales will be allowed to leave a buying point unless the farmers have been fully paid for their deliveries.
“Furthermore, merchants are only permitted to purchase seed cotton once they have settled all outstanding payments for previous season’s deliveries, including any grade differential prices owed to farmers,” said Dr Muswere.
The 2025 cotton marketing season commenced on Monday and the minimum seed cotton prices for the season will be paid out in a 70:30 ratio in US dollar and ZiG currencies, respectively.
The prices are US$0,41 per kg for Grade A, US$0,37 per kg for Grade B, US$0,34 per kg for Grade C and US$0,30 per kg for Grade D.
In terms of tobacco production, the tobacco industry achieved remarkable success, with over 272,7 million kg of tobacco valued at US$917,6 million sold.
Said Dr Muswere: “Produced by approximately 135 000 tobacco farmers, this impressive output translates to an average earning of over US$6 700 per farmer.
“This underscores the substantial economic benefits of tobacco production for farming communities, bolstering household incomes and driving economic growth and development in tobacco-growing areas.
“Notably, the marketed volume of tobacco represents a significant 41 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. The 2025 deliveries are on a strong upward trajectory, with daily sales averaging 4,7 million kilogrammes, reflecting a substantial improvement from the 2,8 million kilogrammes recorded in 2024.”
This comes as the Government extended the planting window to June 15, giving farmers ample time to hit their ambitious targets.
Meanwhile, in an interview, acting chief director of Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Mr Leonard Munamati, said Zimbabwe is in the last days of the 2025 winter wheat planting season. He said out of a target of 120 000ha, farmers have now planted 105 663ha, which is 88 percent of the target.
Compared to last year, farmers had planted 93 000ha by the same period.
This accelerated planting rate, he said, was a key indicator in the nation’s ambitious drive towards achieving a record 600 000 tonnes of wheat, a move crucial for bolstering national food security and reducing import dependency.
Government has spearheaded several initiatives to support farmers in reaching this unprecedented goal.
Critical to this success is the continued provision of inputs through programmes like the Presidential Input Programme (PIP), as well as Joint Venture (JV) schemes and support for irrigation infrastructure.
Mr Munamati assured farmers that some more seed and fertilisers are still at GMB depots and urged farmers under the PIP programme and the other JV programmes, under the irrigation schemes, to go to their nearest GMB depot and collect their inputs.
“We encourage farmers to follow the proper agronomic practices so that we produce high yields during this season,” he said.
This focus on maximising per-hectare yields, backed by the ring-fencing of 150 megawatts of electricity by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) for irrigation, is seen as vital for achieving the ambitious national target.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Dr Shadreck Makombe, has praised the Government’s initiatives supporting farmers.
“The initiatives and support being rendered to us as farmers is a clear testimony that we are moving forward as a team,” said Dr Makombe.
“While as farmers we are looking forward to succeeding in business, consumers are also looking forward to enhanced food security through increased production by our farmers.
“Having surplus wheat will mean expansion of our business as we look for new export markets, which is good for us as a country.”
Experts estimate that Zimbabwe is accruing over US$100 million in annual cost savings through wheat import substitution.
This substantial saving not only strengthens national food security, but also provides a crucial impetus to economic growth.
For consumers, the outlook is equally positive.
The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) anticipates stable prices for wheat-based products, offering a welcome reprieve for households grappling with the economic impacts of the recent drought.
Soft wheat, the variety predominantly produced in Zimbabwe, is a versatile grain milled into flour for a wide array of staple foods including bread, muffins, noodles, pasta, biscuits, cakes and pastries.
CCZ executive director Mrs Rose Mpofu said: “From a consumer perspective, the anticipated bumper harvest is good news. We stand to benefit immensely by way of price stability of products produced from wheat.
“In a way, surplus wheat will be exported, bringing in the much-needed foreign currency to sustain the economy. In turn, we are bound to see improved livelihoods and food security at household level, as the country regains its status as the breadbasket of Southern Africa.”
