THE agricultural sector has reached a major milestone with farmers planting over 120 000 hectares (ha) of wheat, surpassing the national target and setting the stage for a record-breaking harvest.
In an interview yesterday, acting chief director of Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS), Mr Leonard Munamati, confirmed that the country had reached 120 007ha of wheat planted by the weekend.
“Now that we are at the end of the extended planting period, farmers have planted 120 007 hectares as of the weekend and we are currently verifying the final figures,” said Mr Munamati.
Stakeholders across the agricultural value chain — including funders, extension officers and farmers’ unions — are collaborating to finalise the actual area planted.
“Although we have met the target, we now want to focus on production and productivity. We need to move towards a minimum of 600 000 tonnes of wheat and that requires the best agronomic practices.”
Mr Munamati urged farmers to apply fertilisers based on soil test results, manage irrigation efficiently and monitor for pests as well as diseases to ensure a healthy crop.
This landmark achievement follows an aggressive national campaign spearheaded by President Mnangagwa’s administration to bolster food security through wheat production.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka, who toured wheat fields at Secuta Farm in Marondera last week, expressed confidence that Zimbabwe would exceed its 120 000ha target.
“My gut feeling is that it will probably be around 125 000 hectares,” Dr Masuka said.
He attributed the success to Government policies and noted that last season’s record yield of 563 000 tonnes of wheat was enough to feed 6,4 million children.
“This drive to increase wheat production is a strategic shift away from maize dependency, particularly in the face of climate change. We are building a diversified cereal basket with a target to establish a 1,5 million tonne grain reserve by 2030,” he said.
The bulk of the wheat was planted in Mashonaland provinces.
Mashonaland West targeted 34 500ha, Mashonaland Central 27 000ha (revised down from 28 000 due to late rains), and Mashonaland East 22 500ha.
This expansion was supported by the Presidential Input Programme, joint venture farming schemes and massive investments in irrigation infrastructure.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) allocated 150 megawatts to guarantee uninterrupted power supply for irrigation systems.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe hailed the Government’s support.
“The initiatives and support being rendered to us as farmers are a clear testimony that we are moving forward as a team,” he said.
Minister Masuka noted that a crops working group was already scouting for international markets to absorb surplus wheat, with projections suggesting a yield of at least 600 000 tonnes — well above Zimbabwe’s annual requirement of 360 000 tonnes.
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe executive director, Mrs Rose Mpofu, welcomed the development.
“The anticipated bumper harvest is good news. We expect price stability in wheat-based products and opportunities for foreign currency earnings,” she said.
The milestone highlights Zimbabwe’s transformation from a wheat-import dependent country in 2019 to a self-sufficient producer on track to reclaim its breadbasket status in the region.
