MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-The Midlands Province has intensified winter wheat planting to meet the 12 500h target as the official planting deadline has passed.
By 30 May 2026, the province had achieved 79.9 percent of its 12 500-hectare winter wheat target, prompting renewed calls for farmers to take advantage of the final planting window.
Last year, Midlands surpassed its 12 000-hectare target by planting 12 025 hectares, contributing to Zimbabwe’s broader wheat production momentum.
Nationally, Zimbabwe recorded over 600 000tonnes of wheat in 2025 from 122 146 hectares, averaging 5.2 tonnes per hectare.
This year, Government has set an ambitious national target of 662 500 tonnes of wheat from 125 000 hectares, backed by expanded irrigation support and ring-fenced electricity allocations for winter production.
Speaking on the progress, Midlands Provincial Agricultural Director Busiso Olga Mavankeni said delays experienced in some areas due to slower maize dry-down had not derailed the province’s momentum.
“We continue to encourage farmers to maintain momentum and utilise every remaining opportunity to plant,” Mavankeni said. “Every hectare established contributes towards provincial and national food security, and timely planting remains critical for achieving good yields.”
She added that favourable irrigation water availability and anticipated cooler conditions provided an enabling environment for farmers still establishing their crops.
“We are optimistic because water levels for irrigation remain favourable and, where farmers combine timely planting with sound agronomic practices and continuous crop monitoring, there is potential for strong performance,” she said.
However, behind the mobilisation campaign lies a growing concern among winter wheat producers that successful planting alone is not enough to guarantee a productive season.
Farmers continue to battle delays in accessing land following the slower drying of summer maize in some areas, compressing the planting calendar and placing pressure on operations.
For wheat growers, timing is often a decisive factor that can influence crop performance months before harvest.
The challenge extends beyond field preparation as winter farmers remain exposed to rising production costs, irrigation demands, electricity requirements, access to finance and the availability of quality inputs.
While irrigation water availability has remained a positive factor in parts of the province, producers say maintaining consistent production through the season continues to require significant investment.
Limited access to mechanisation and operational capital also remains a hurdle, particularly for smaller producers seeking to expand participation in winter wheat production.
Midlands enters this season seeking to build on the gains of recent years after recording strong participation in winter wheat programmes, reinforcing its position as one of Zimbabwe’s important winter cropping provinces.
Agricultural observers say the next frontier is no longer increasing hectares alone but improving productivity, lowering production bottlenecks and ensuring farmers remain supported throughout the growing cycle.
