Source: Zim sets another wheat production record . . .Harvest tops 490 000 tonnes so far | The Sunday Mail
Theseus Shambare
ZIMBABWE is on track to set a new winter wheat production record, with farmers having already harvested over 490 000 tonnes of the crop, underlining the accelerated resurgence of Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector in recent years.
This season, approximately 121 900 hectares (ha) were put under the cereal, the largest area planted since commercial wheat production began in the 1960s.
To date, farmers have harvested 490 723 tonnes from just 98 719ha, with production averaging five tonnes per hectare.
This year’s output has already eclipsed last year’s haul of 460 000 tonnes, which was another all-time record.
Experts project this year’s total production to exceed 600 000 tonnes, well above Zimbabwe’s annual requirement of 360 000 tonnes.
This is expected to stabilise prices for staple foods like bread.
Flour is a major ingredient in many staple foods such as bread, pasta and pastries.
Soft wheat, which Zimbabwe produces, is typically milled into flour and used to make a wide range of foods, including bread, muffins, noodles, pasta, biscuits, cakes, cookies, pastries and cereal bars.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development acting chief director for Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services (AARDS) Mr Leonard Munamati said farmers are harvesting good-quality crop.
“Harvesting is ongoing, with the area harvested standing at 98 719ha and an estimated production of 490 723 tonnes. The quality is good, at a yield average of five tonnes per hectare.”
This, he said, compares well with last season’s total yield around the same time.
Mr Munamati said the increased sightings of quelea birds was a natural consequence of expanded production.
“As the season unfolded, there was an increase in quelea birds sighting reports because we had more wheat compared to last year,” he added.
“However, control teams were on high alert using nine drones, knapsack sprayers and vehicle-mounted sprayers to control the birds.”
He attributed the successful season to proactive planning and the Government’s support to farmers during the season.
“Farmers were educated on the importance of scouting for the birds’ roosting and breeding sites and to report these to focal persons in all provinces.
“We had enough chemicals to control the birds and we were successful.
“Lessons learnt include that Zimbabwe has potential to increase wheat production for export.”
He underlined the importance of collaboration between the Government and the private sector, which played a central role in this season’s success.
“The active participation of the private sector was key to wheat production this year.
“Planting must always be done during the recommended planting window of May to avoid loss due to early rains.
“Ring-fencing electricity for wheat farmers helped to increase productivity.
“Financiers must regard electricity as an input. Close monitoring is also important to improve use of inputs by farmers.”
In the past two years, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia were the only two African countries to achieve wheat self-sufficiency.
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