Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
FOLLOWING a record-breaking winter cropping season that has seen the country exceed national targets and secure surplus stocks, the country is now eyeing foreign markets for wheat exports.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri revealed this during a media tour at Nyombwe Farm in Mazowe yesterday.
Currently, Zimbabwe is projected to harvest a whopping 600 000 tonnes of the cash crop, eclipsing the impressive 468 000t realised last year.
With the country’s annual wheat demand at 360 000t, a surplus of about 240 000t is expected to bolster the country’s strategic grain reserves.
“We are excited because our farmers did very well. They beat the 120 000-hectare target that we had put across.
“The figures are over 122 142 hectares and we expect more as we finalise the accounting,” said Prof Jiri.
He explained that the bulk of the wheat was planted within the ideal window of May 1 to 31 and is now at the top-dressing stage.
Most of the crop is between the late vegetative and early reproductive phases, promising a healthy harvest.
“We expect to achieve an average yield of over 5.5 tonnes per hectare. Our target is to surpass 600 000 metric tonnes,” Prof Jiri said.
Mazowe district has emerged as the top performer in terms of area under wheat cultivation.
“Mazowe is the highest in terms of planted area across all districts in the country, commanding over 16 000 hectares. It is also among the highest in central Africa,” Prof Jiri said.
Despite 24 percent of the wheat being planted in June — considered late — authorities are optimistic.
“With the economic technical advice that farmers are receiving, including adjusting irrigation schedules and fertiliser application, we can compensate for the late planting. Even that crop is expected to yield good results,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s transformation into a wheat-secure nation is the result of multiple Government-led interventions, including the Presidential Inputs Scheme, increased access to irrigation infrastructure and strengthened extension services under the Agricultural Recovery Plan.
These have empowered farmers with tools, training and technical support critical for production efficiency.
Prof Jiri said Zimbabwe is now one of only two African countries that are self-sufficient in wheat.
He said after feeding the nation during the 2024 drought, the country still retained nearly 100 000 metric tonnes of surplus wheat in Grain Marketing Board (GMB) silos.
“With the next harvest coming in three months, we know that we have another surplus of wheat in our storage facilities. So, yes, now we can think of exporting the wheat,” Prof Jiri said.
“Even before the drought, we had inquiries, particularly from Mozambique and Rwanda. There is nothing that stops us from exporting the wheat. Of course, we must consider the economics — how much we will export it at, and so forth — but we are ready.”
Local farmers have echoed the optimism.
Host farmer and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Mr Aaron Nhepera, who has planted 60 hectares this season, expressed gratitude for the support received.
“Last season, we achieved 5 tonnes per hectare, but with the good agronomic practices we’re learning from extension officers, we expect to hit 7 tonnes,” he said.
“We thank the Government for the Land Reform Programme, the inputs-support scheme, and access to knowledge which have enabled us to succeed. Currently, I am gradually weaning myself off the schemes to make way for new entrants.”
