Zimbawe records highest wheat harvest in 56 years

ZIMBABWE has achieved a milestone in wheat production by harvesting 375 000 tonnes of the cereal this year, the highest-ever recorded since wheat growing started in 1966.

The attainment of soft wheat self-sufficiency is premised on Government’s agricultural transformation anchored on active private and public sector participation.

Over the years, the country could not meet national requirements and had to import wheat from other countries. The private sector should contribute at least 40 percent of the production of their raw material requirements in line with Government policy and the target was met this year.

The Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services weekly update indicates that all of the provinces have completed harvesting.

It also shows that the cumulative area harvested across the provinces stands at 78 063ha, which is 97 percent of the planted area with a cumulative production of 375 131 tonnes.

Agriculture and Rural Advisory Services chief director Professor Obert Jiri said by working together as a team, they managed to improve wheat production.

“Yes, we managed to meet the target. This was through hard work, commitment and working together to produce wheat that is sufficient for the country. The effort is greatly appreciated and we are positive that we can also do more than this in the next season,” he said.

Agriculture and Rural Advisory Services chief director Professor Obert Jiri

Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) national chairman Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said there had been a steady growth in wheat harvests, adding that if the private sector continued to work with the Government, widespread imports would be permanently eliminated.

“We have the biggest yield this year since wheat started. This year, Government has not only empowered the farmers, but the consumers as well in product supply and price stability. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused serious problems for us.

Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe chairman, Mr Tafadzwa Musarara

Partnerships with Government are crucial in terms of food sufficiency. We used to import wheat worth US$300 million, we no longer do that and want to domesticate that. We also managed to secure the raw materials for the whole year,” he said.

Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust president, Mrs Depinah Nkomo, said the progress was well appreciated, and urged farmers to work even harder next season.

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Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe said farmers have done well in wheat production adding that they should plant early next season.
Last year, the wheat harvest stood at 330 000 tonnes from 66 000 hactares.-chroilecl.zw