By Virginia Njovo
Masvingo Province is targeting to plant 5 000 hectares of winter wheat this season to surpass the 4 000 hectares planted in 2024 with a national target of 120,000 hectares with a national output target of 600 000 tonnes to surpass last year’s 562,591 tones.
In 2024, Masvingo province planted 3000 ha missing the target of 4 000ha.
Masvingo Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) Director Caleb Mahoya told TellZim News that preparations for winter wheat farming were progressing well across the province with part of the wheat planted later now at germination stage while the other is at booting stage for those who planted earlier.
“Preparations went well this season and as we are speaking in various places the crop is now at booting stage and to those who planted late it is in germinating stage.
‘’The province managed to scale up wheat production this season as compared to last season in 2024 and we have the potential to cultivate up to 5,000 hectares as the nation is looking at cultivating 120,000 hectares,” said Mahoya.
Mahoya said they were anticipating a good season due to availability of adequate irrigation water across the province following a good rainy season.
“The crop situation is commendable and we are hoping for the best since we have enough water across the province, 75 percent of our dams spilled after receiving normal to above rainfall in 2024 to 2025 farming season,” said Mahoya.
Mahoya advised farmers to follow good agronomy practices to get the expected yield.
“We are encouraging our farmers to follow the best agronomic practices in controlling weeds, use fertilizers in a proper manner, split application according to their soil test requirement and also encouraging our farmers to make sure they irrigate properly, right water management in irrigation perspective, look out for pests, diseases and control them well in time.
“As the winter wheat crop progresses through various growth stages, collective efforts of the farmers augmented with the support of expert advice and wise use of resources will be vital in converting the success of planting into a sufficiently fruitful harvest,” he said.
Mahoya said the province had only experienced challenges in delayed inputs delivery to farmers this season
“The only challenge we have experienced this year was a delay in the delivery of inputs to farmers due to some logistical procedures but now every farmer who was supposed to get the seed got them and have made some progress in farming,” said Mahoya.
