Another record wheat harvest attained

Precious Manomano

Herald Reporter

The record wheat harvest projected this year has been achieved with deliveries of 563 961 tonnes breaching last year’s 467 000 tonnes and ensuring self-sufficiency for the third year in a row.

This was easily the largest harvest since commercial wheat cultivation began in the country in 1966.

The harvest not only allows more wheat products to be a part of diets, but allows Zimbabwe to escape the harsh effects of geo-political disturbances in Eastern Europe that have disrupted supply chains, creating shortages of wheat and other commodities globally.

This year, wheat was grown on 120 000 hectares, a significant jump from 91 000 hectares last year.

In his weekly report, chief director of the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) Mr Leonard Munamati said 94 086 tonnes have been delivered to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), with 85 200 tonnes coming from ARDA contracted farmers and over 216 912 tonnes have been marketed through various platforms.

Mr Munamati noted that following an El Niño-induced drought that impacted summer crops, the country shifted to a wheat-based food security plan.

“Having achieved a new record of 91 000 hectares of wheat in 2023, the area planted increased by 30 per cent to 119 594 hectares in 2024. The total wheat produced this year is yet another record-breaking achievement of 563 961 tonnes,” he said.

Some key enablers were tracked during the winter season to achieve this success. These included prioritising electricity supply for farmers during the growing season, improved water management, pest control, and enhanced access to seeds, fertilisers, finance, and equipment.

Mr Paul Zakariya, secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union, hailed the achievement

“If we maintain this standard, we generate foreign currency and further develop wheat production industries. This means there will be no reason for importing wheat because we will be exporting our hard-earned cash,” he said.

The move will allow grain reserves to be increased for the third consecutive year.

Provincial contributions to this record harvest were notable. Mashonaland West harvested 174 580 tonnes from 33 303 hectares. Mashonaland Central harvested 150 007 tonnes from 29 574ha. Mashonaland East harvested 98 915 tonnes from 21 997 hectares.

Manicaland harvested 45 869 tonnes from 13 216ha, Midlands 66 446 tonnes from 12 081ha, Masvingo 8 322 tonnes from 2 925ha. Matabeleland North 5 930 tonnes from 1 913ha, Matabeleland South 13 822 tonnes from 3 115ha.

The current grain stock at GMB stands at 253 665 tonnes, with 235 142 tonnes being wheat, while the balance is for maize and traditional grains.