Zimbabwe has surpassed last season’s winter wheat planting record, with more than 123,000 hectares already planted as of June 14, placing the country on track to achieve its national target of 125,000 hectares as the extended planting deadline comes to an end.
The achievement marks another significant milestone in the country’s drive towards food security and wheat self-sufficiency, despite challenges posed by delayed land preparation and global input supply constraints.
Traditionally, winter wheat planting closes on May 31 to ensure crops are established under optimal growing conditions ahead of harvest. However, prolonged wet weather delayed the summer harvesting season and slowed land preparation, prompting the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development to extend the planting deadline to June 15.
Speaking during a tour of winter wheat fields in Goromonzi yesterday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Obert Jiri, said the extension had helped maintain planting momentum and positioned farmers to exceed last season’s performance.
“We have surpassed what we achieved last season. Last season we ended on 122,000 hectares. This year already, by the 14th of June, we had surpassed 123,000 hectares,” said Prof Jiri.
“We anticipated that by the 15th of June we would be able to hit our 125,000-hectare target, which is very much within reach.”
During the tour, Prof Jiri visited Springs Farm in Goromonzi, owned by Mr Joseph Macheka, where 60 hectares of wheat have been established under a centre-pivot irrigation system.
He revealed that more than 128,000 hectares had been registered by farmers for planting this season, demonstrating strong confidence in the wheat production programme despite challenges affecting agricultural inputs and global supply chains.
Prof Jiri attributed the progress to the resilience of farmers and the support provided by key institutions and stakeholders.
“We would want to emphasise that it is through the resilience of our farmers and through the cooperation of our partners, Zesa, Zinwa and other stakeholders who contributed to this wheat strategy, that this has been achieved,” he said.
The Agriculture Ministry said Zimbabwe’s grain security outlook remains stable, supported by healthy stocks held in the Strategic Grain Reserve, which continue to provide a buffer against potential supply disruptions.
Prof Jiri also dismissed concerns over possible increases in the prices of bread and mealie meal, saying the country’s grain reserves remain adequate to support national requirements.
Meanwhile, grain deliveries to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) are reportedly ahead of last year’s levels, signalling improved agricultural productivity and a stronger harvest outlook.
“These figures were taken before the close of the planting day, with mop-up planting still ongoing in some areas as farmers were finalising establishment under irrigation,” said Prof Jiri.
“We are confident that these final mop-up efforts will meet or even surpass the 125,000-hectare national target once all submissions have been fully captured and verified.”
The final winter wheat planting figures are expected to be released after the completion of a nationwide verification and collation process.
Zimbabwe has increasingly relied on winter wheat production to reduce imports and strengthen domestic food security, with successive years of strong planting performance helping the country move closer to self-sufficiency in wheat production.
Source – The Herald
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