Mash Central surpasses wheat target, records 5.5t per hectare average yield

by Staff Reporter

BINDURA - Mashonaland Central Province has exceeded its winter wheat planting target, achieving 25,755 hectares against a target of 25,000 hectares, as Government pushes towards wheat-based food security.

Provincial Director for Mashonaland Central in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Misheck Chitokomere, revealed the achievement during a field day organised by Zadzamatura at Canaan Mutonda's Pemento 24 Farm in Bindura District.Regional news feed

Speaking while inspecting a healthy wheat crop planted on 1 May 2026, Chitokomere said the crop's condition demonstrated the benefits of planting within the recommended wheat production window.

"This is Ward 11, Pemento Park Farm. We are witnessing this crop which was planted on 1 May 2026, which is the proper planting window for the wheat crop. No wonder why you can see that it's a very healthy crop where we are expecting yields of seven and above tonnes per hectare," he said.

He commended farmers in the province for surpassing the planting target.

"As a province our target was 25,000 hectares, but we managed to surpass the target and we achieved 25,755 hectares as a province. So basically we are saying well done to our farmers," said Chitokomere.

He said most of the province's wheat is grown in Mazowe and Bindura districts, followed by Shamva, while Rushinga, Mount Darwin and Muzarabani contribute smaller hectarages.

"As a Government we are going towards what we call wheat-based food security. Once we meet our targets like that we are also in to meet our targets in terms of the yield," he said.

Chitokomere said harvesting had already commenced across the province, with early results exceeding expectations.

"Harvesting has actually started. And as at now, 800 hectares of wheat has been harvested across the province and the average yield so far is 5.5 tonnes per hectare. Our target was five, so it means we are already above what we had targeted to achieve," he said.

He projected that the provincial average yield would likely close between five and six tonnes per hectare, translating into a significant wheat output.

The provincial director, however, urged farmers to expedite harvesting after reports of early rains in some areas.

"What we are actually recommending our farmers now to do is to expedite harvest because so far we have received showers in places like Concession, in places like Glendale. We want our farmers to expedite harvesting so that their produce is not affected by the rains," he warned.

"So far some places have reported rainfall amounting to 33 millimetres, some 52 millimetres in other places. But fortunately for us the clouds yes they are threatening but I am sure that all those farmers who are ready should actually rush to their fields, harvest the crop before these rains. Otherwise the wheat crop will be affected," Chitokomere added.

Meanwhile, Zadzamatura Senior Agronomist Blessing Hatidane hailed farmers for embracing Government initiatives and adopting sound agronomic practices.

"We are proud as Zadzamatura to walk with farmers like Mr Mutonda. What you are seeing here is not by chance, it is a result of timely planting, correct variety selection and adherence to agronomic advice. Farmers have responded positively to the call for food security and we are urging them to also consider small grains and early maturity varieties as we prepare for an El Nino-induced season," Hatidane said.

"We are here to ensure that knowledge reaches the field. Our mandate is to complement Government efforts by providing extension support, inputs advice and linking farmers to markets," he added.

Host farmer Canaan Mutonda said the field day demonstrated the success of Government empowerment programmes and agricultural support initiatives.

"I am very grateful to Government and to Zadzamatura for the support. This crop you see is testimony that when a farmer is empowered with inputs and technical knowledge, we can produce and feed the nation. We will continue to complement Government's food security efforts as local farmers," Mutonda said.

He added that his goal is to push yields beyond seven tonnes per hectare through precision farming techniques.