Story by Tendai Munengwa
ZIMBABWE has exceeded its national wheat production target for 2025, harvesting over 640 000 metric tonnes, surpassing the goal of 600 000 tonnes and marking a historic milestone for the country’s agricultural sector.
The success of this year’s winter cropping season marks a record achievement in the country’s wheat production history.
Government figures show that farmers have delivered an unprecedented yield, highlighting the impact of supportive policies and investments in the agricultural sector.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, commended farmers for planting on time and harvesting on time, while commending the Zimbabwe Belarus Mechanisation Programme for assisting farmers to clear their wheat on time.
“We first thank our farmers for the good job they have done and for their hard work. We are now 99.3 % with our wheat, which is just as good as being done. So far, we have harvested 637 000 metric tonnes, and by Sunday, we will definitely hit over 640 000 metric tonnes. We attribute this to the modernisation of our agriculture being implemented by the second republic,” he said.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, ARDA, which has been given the mandate to produce half of the national wheat requirements, has lived up to expectations, with the parastatal board Chairperson Ivan Craig confirming that they surpassed their target by 17 %.
“We have harvested our wheat, and figures are telling us that we achieved the 300 000 metric tonne target. We applaud our President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, for bringing mechanisation to the fore and availing funds for irrigation development,” he said.
Now that the country has demonstrated the capacity to produce adequate wheat for national consumption and surplus for exports, observers feel that millers should come up with innovative means to ensure the bread price remains stable.
