Mash East contributes significantly to country’s wheat output

MARONDERA- Mashonaland East contributed significantly towards the country’s aim of becoming
food self-sufficient as the country recorded its highest wheat harvest last year.
According to the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS), Zimbabwe achieved
this milestone in wheat production by harvesting 375 000 tonnes of the cereal in 2022 as the nation
adopted import substitution agricultural policy and strategically working self-sufficiency.
Local farmers were offered adequate support by the Government and the harvest results is credited
for the stringent efforts on agricultural transformation anchored on active private and public sector
participation.
During the 2022 winter cropping season, 78 063 hectares were put under wheat nationwide,
registering the highest agricultural land since independence and followed by plantings in 2004 (70
585 ha) and 2005 (67 261 ha).
The country had targeted to produce 380 000 tonnes of wheat but part of the crop was affected by
early rains and veld fires.
Of the 78 063 hectares, Mashonaland East contributed 12 579 hectares, having initially set a target
of 11 340 hectares. The province also managed to produce 56 825 metric tonnes.
ARDAS acting provincial director Leonard Munamati said the province improved its wheat
production as a result of working as a team.
“The 2021-2022 agriculture season was characterised by poor rains and dry spells but through our
irrigation systems, we managed to do well in wheat production. The Government chipped in with
funding to farmers while the contribution of private players also came in handy.
“We hope that the same commitment will be shown by farmers next season so that we continue
producing sufficient wheat to feed the nation,” he said.
Munamati who chairs the Provincial Development Committee (PDC) food and nutrition thematic
committee also gave an overview of the Pfumvudza programme, which he said targeted 488 197
farmers in the province.
The construction of Chivhu and Kunzvi dams, he added, is now at 98 and 94 complete respectively.