Winter wheat harvesting begins

Zimbabwe National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) executive director Mr Edward Dune has said most farmers have started harvesting their winter wheat, especially those who had an early crop.

“Farmers who planted their crop at end of April to early May are already harvesting the crop, while those who planted late in June are still preparing to harvest,” he said.

“Harvesting started last week for the early planted crop, but in most areas, the late planted crop is not yet ready for harvesting.”

Mr Dune said farmers did not face any electricity challenges as there was consistent power supply throughout the season.

He said the availability of combine harvesters for hire had improved this year, unlike in previous seasons when farmers had challenges.

“So far the yield of the wheat crop being harvested is averaging seven tonnes per hectare, but may drop after the late crop is harvested.”

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president, Mr Wonder Chabikwa said the wheat crop, which was planted in May was almost ready for harvest starting from October 1.

“Wheat, which was established during the first half of May, is almost ready and due for harvesting as from the first of October,” he said.

He said most small scale growers were preparing for harvesting and were in the process of securing and hiring combine harvesters while large scale growers were servicing their machinery.

“Most small scale farmers rely on hiring combine harvesters, but most large scale growers have them,” he said.

Zimbabwe requires 460 000 tonnes of wheat every year and the country has been net importer due to high costs of production and erratic power supply.

Government had to introduce Command Wheat and this has since boosted yields with the country producing 186 243 tonnes of wheat during the 2017/18 season.

Of the 186 000 tonnes, 148 356 179 tonnes were produced by farmers who benefited from the Government’s Command Agriculture programme.