Zimbabwe wheat planting tops 100,000ha as Mashonaland Central chases target

Zimbabwe wheat planting tops 100,000ha as Mashonaland Central chases target

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Zimbabwe has planted more than 100,000 hectares of wheat towards the national 125,000-hectare target, despite delays caused by winter weather and a slow end to the summer harvest in parts of the Mashonaland provinces.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry responsible for Agriculture, Prof. dr. O. Jiri, said late harvesting of summer crops in Mashonaland provinces—linked to low temperatures and high moisture—pushed back the start of wheat planting. He made the remarks during a visit to a self-funded 40-hectare wheat crop belonging to Mr Ben Masuko.

According to Prof. dr. O. Jiri, the planting delays have not derailed the programme, with most of the targeted hectarage already in the ground. He said Mashonaland West is currently leading the planted area, with more than 25,000 hectares reported planted so far.

For Mashonaland Central, the province is still short of its allocation, needing just under 4,500 hectares to meet its target. Agricultural authorities are allowing late planting, with adjusted agronomy recommendations, to help farmers catch up where field operations started behind schedule.

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On inputs, Prof. dr. O. Jiri said fertiliser and seed supplies are available, and that the wheat production plan remains supported by secured inputs. He also noted that disruptions to electricity supply for irrigation from ZESA have been minor to date.

However, water availability remains an area of concern in the Mazowe catchment, where dam levels are reported to be low. Irrigated winter wheat depends heavily on reliable water, and authorities are monitoring the situation as the season progresses.

Despite the operational pressures, Prof. dr. O. Jiri said farmers have continued to show resilience. He said the wheat self-sufficiency strategy is “responding well so far”, even as farmers adjust planting schedules and irrigation planning to suit current conditions.

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