Story by Tendai Munengwa
HARARE-ZIMBABWE is poised for another record-breaking winter wheat harvest after farmers across the country exceeded the 120 000-hectare target set for the 2025 winter cropping season.
Preliminary reports received on Monday indicate that the extended planting window, which closed on June 15, saw hectarage surpassing projections.
This development marks the second consecutive year of historic wheat output, driven by a combination of deliberate government policy under the Second Republic and the unwavering commitment of farmers to boost national food security.
“We are pleased to confirm that more than 120 000 hectares of wheat have been planted countrywide. Our technical teams are finalising verification, but initial assessments suggest an increase from last year’s planted area,” Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka said.
Minister Masuka commended the farming community for its strong response to the government’s call to scale up wheat production.
“The credit goes to our hardworking farmers for their resilience and commitment to returning to the land. Their efforts are central to our thrust towards sustainable food self-sufficiency,” he added.
With the extension deadline for planting having now lapsed, authorities are urging farmers to focus on maintaining the best agronomic practices to ensure high yields.
“Those with early planted wheat must be vigilant against the threat of quelea birds and report any outbreaks to relevant authorities for prompt response,” Minister Masuka said.
A recent nationwide tour of wheat-growing regions by Minister Masuka revealed high expectations of yield averages exceeding five tonnes per hectare.
The country is now set on course to achieve another milestone, targeting a record wheat output of 600 000 metric tonnes this season.
The unprecedented expansion in wheat hectarage underscores Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation journey, driven by mechanisation, input support schemes, and climate-smart agriculture.
