Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S winter wheat planting programme is progressing ahead of last year’s pace, with nearly 70 000 hectares already planted as Government intensifies efforts to achieve the national target of 125 000 hectares for the 2026 season.
By May 25, farmers had planted 54 percent of the targeted hectarage, prompting authorities to urge growers to accelerate operations and complete planting before the May 31 deadline to protect yields.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Management permanent secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the country was recording encouraging progress compared to the same period last year.
“As we progress with this year’s winter wheat planting season, we are far ahead of where we were in 2025. So far, we have planted 54 percent as of May 25, which translates to nearly 70 000 hectares out of the 125 000 hectares targeted this season,” said Prof Jiri.
“There is still a gap that must be covered within the next six days, and planting should be completed by May 31.”
He said some farmers were still transitioning from the summer cropping season because of delayed drying conditions caused by low temperatures, although harvesting activities were now gaining momentum in most areas.
“We know that many farmers are still transitioning from summer to winter cropping due to slow drying conditions brought about by low temperatures, but most farmers are now speeding up harvesting operations to ensure they plant wheat within the remaining window,” he said.
Prof Jiri warned that late planting could significantly reduce yields and urged farmers to strictly adhere to the recommended planting calendar.
“We are encouraging farmers across the country to ensure that they plant within the stipulated window to avoid reduced yields associated with delayed planting,” he said.
Mashonaland West is currently leading the planting programme after achieving about 62 percent of its target, followed by Mashonaland Central at nearly 60 percent, while Mashonaland East has planted around 50 percent of its target.
“So far, Mashonaland West is leading after planting about 62 percent, Mashonaland Central is at almost 60 percent and Mashonaland East is at around 50 percent. We expect these provinces to accelerate planting so that we can achieve our target for the winter season,” said Prof Jiri.
The strong pace of planting follows a successful 2025/26 summer cropping season, which left most dams across the country with sufficient water reserves to support irrigation farming.
“Following the good 2025/26 summer season, our dams remain over 93 percent full, while most dams in Masvingo and Matabeleland South are completely full,” said Prof Jiri.
However, he noted that a few dams, including Mazowe Dam in Mashonaland Central, were still below expected levels.
Irrigation is expected to remain the backbone of winter wheat production this season, with Government projecting that nearly 80 percent of the crop will rely on irrigation water from dams and irrigation schemes.
“Out of these dams, we expect 80 percent of our wheat crop to be supported through irrigation. Irrigation schemes alone are expected to contribute about 19 000 hectares, while larger dams will support at least 66 percent of winter wheat production this season,” he said.
Zimbabwe currently has more than 460 irrigation schemes, of which over 331 are functional and capable of making a significant contribution to national wheat output.
“We have more than 460 irrigation schemes in the country and over 331 of them are functional. These schemes can contribute at least 19 000 hectares towards winter wheat production,” said Prof Jiri.
Despite the availability of water, planting under irrigation schemes has remained relatively slow, with less than 2 000 hectares planted so far.
“Planting under irrigation schemes has been slow, with just under 2 000 hectares planted to date. We expect these schemes to accelerate planting because they already have guaranteed water supplies for wheat production,” he said.
Government is now pushing for all functional irrigation schemes to transition into commercially viable production units under the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) V30 Accelerator Model.
Prof Jiri said the model was designed to transform irrigation schemes into self-sustaining business entities capable of accessing bank loans, entering joint venture partnerships and reinvesting profits into future production cycles.
“We expect all irrigation schemes to convert to the V30 Accelerator Model under ARDA. This means irrigation schemes must operate commercially and understand that they can borrow from banks or enter into joint venture arrangements with ARDA or other contractors,” he said.
“They must treat irrigation schemes as business units capable of borrowing, producing and repaying loans while reinvesting profits into future cropping cycles. Ideally, we want all 331 functional irrigation schemes to immediately plant under the V30 Accelerator Model, access inputs and repay after harvest.”
