By Virginia Njovo
MASVINGO – Masvingo Province is poised to exceed its 5,000-hectare target for winter crops in 2026, with farmers expected to plant from May 1 to May 31 in order to stay within the optimal timeframe before the summer cropping season.
According to the ARDAS weekly report as of May 4, 2026, the province has adequate water for winter cropping and is expected to surpass the target.
“Masvingo Province has 100 percent full dams and plans to grow more in the province are well advanced. As of now, the area registered for winter crop has surpassed our expected target, with 5,468 hectares already registered,” read the report.
The report also outlined national targets and average dam levels that are above 90 percent signaling a good winter cropping season.
“A total of 125,000 hectares of winter wheat is targeted across the country, with an expected yield of 662,500 tonnes. As of May 1, 2026, the area registered stands at 116,084 hectares, and 4,901 hectares have been planted. The national average dam level is 93 percent, reflecting sustained water availability across the country, with 97 percent of key dams at full capacity,” the report stated.
The report further stated that farmers were well prepared for winter wheat farming.
“Provincial wheat seminars have been conducted in all eight provinces and will continue to cascade down to district and village level. Winter wheat land identification and area registration is in progress in all provinces. Contracting of farmers for winter wheat by financiers is now at 73 percent. Farmers are encouraged to do land preparation for winter wheat and apply lime in harvested fields,” read the report.
Speaking during the recently held inter-ministerial games at Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resource Management, Professor Obert Jiri, urged farmers to speed up planting so as not to miss the cut-off date.
“We are urging all farmers to harness their planting so that they will not be affected by the cut-off date. We expect that they will not go beyond May 31, as their yields will become compromised,” said Professor Jiri.
He added that in addition to wheat, farmers will also plant barley and potatoes other than the usual wheat
“Apart from wheat, we are also targeting to plant 7,000 hectares of barley and more than 9,000 hectares of potatoes. Inputs for the Presidential Input Support Programme for wheat are available, and distribution has already started. Those under the programme are receiving a full package including seed, Compound D fertilizer, top dressing, and the necessary herbicides for wheat,” said Professor Jiri.
In 2025, the country planted 120,000 hectares of winter wheat with a target yield of 600,000 tonnes.
