Online Reporter
Patience Maturure, Agriculture Reporter
Government is confident that the bulk of the early planted wheat will yield high returns above 5.5 tonnes per hectare this season.
The bulk of the wheat was planted between May 1 and May 31 with the total output expected to surpass the targeted 600 000 tonnes.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said this during a media tour at Nyombwe Farm in Mazowe on Tuesday.
“We are now continuing to monitor the wheat and ensure that we achieve the next target, which is the wheat yields that we are chasing now. Our target is to surpass 600 000 tonnes, which is very achievable.
“The bulk of our wheat was planted within the window period of 1 to 31 May, and so we expect the crop to give us over 5.5 tonnes per hectare, which is our target in terms of yields,” he said.
Prof Jiri said Government was also exploring export markets in Mozambique and Rwanda expressing interest to import the cereal from Zimbabwe.
“With another harvest expected in three months, we are anticipating another wheat surplus in our storage facilities,” he said.
Prof Jiri applauded wheat farmers for the hardwork which has enabled the country to become wheat self-sufficient.
Wheat farmers exceeded expectations, surpassing the 120 000-hectare target that was set in March with over 122 142 hectares currently planted.
