Staff Reporter
More than 1,200 hectares of winter wheat have already been planted across Zimbabwe since April, marking a strong early start to the 2025 winter cropping season as the nation intensifies efforts to boost food security and meet an ambitious national target.
This year, the Government has set a production goal of 120,000 hectares under wheat, a significant increase aimed at reducing reliance on imports and enhancing national food sovereignty.
According to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, planting is progressing well, even before the official start of the season.
“The winter wheat planting season officially began on May 1 and will run until May 31. However, some farmers, familiar with their regional climates and irrigation setups, began planting in April. By Monday, 1,200 hectares had already been planted across the country,” he said.
The proactive start to the season reflects growing confidence among wheat farmers, bolstered by government-led support initiatives.
Professor Jiri highlighted a suite of enabling measures designed to ensure that farmers are well-equipped throughout the season.
“We are intensifying support to ring-fence wheat farmers. This includes safeguarding critical inputs and ensuring water availability through institutions like ZINWA, which supports nearly 69 percent of production via large dams. We are tracking various other enablers at both national and sub-national levels.
“This season, the Presidential Inputs Scheme is expected to play a critical role, contributing at least 5,000 hectares toward the national target. This forms part of a broader government strategy to secure wheat-based food security, especially in the face of global supply chain uncertainties,” he explained.
Wheat is a key strategic crop in Zimbabwe’s food production matrix. The country has made strides in increasing local wheat output in recent years, with efforts now focused on expanding hectares, improving yields, and ensuring uninterrupted input supply.
With the early planting figures already signaling momentum, authorities remain optimistic that the 120,000-hectare target is within reach. As more farmers enter the fields in May, all eyes will be on how weather conditions, water availability, and support systems align to make this season a success.
