Following initial forecasts of above-average-to-normal rainfall and seeing how it actually rains, the farmer has grown his 1.9 million hectares of corn, up 40% from 1.5 million hectares last year. 

The government has launched public-private commitments to ensure it meets its projection of harvesting at least 3 million tons of maize this season from a target of 1,940,969 hectares.

Professor Obert Gilli, chief director of the Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Service (Aards), released the numbers yesterday in his weekly Summer Season Readiness Report on February 2nd.

Principal Director of Advisory Services on Agriculture and Rural Development, Obert his Jiri Professor.

So far, farmers have completed planting corn, tobacco, cotton and soybeans, and some are still growing short-season sugarcane, sunflowers and traditional grains. But experts have urged them to speed up the cultivation of these crops to ensurethey catch up over time.

Professor Chitoshi pointed out that the plant conditions were generally good and better than last year.

“The northern regions are much better than last year in terms of corn, but the southern regions are much better in terms of traditional grains,” said Professor Jiri.

The government has set a combined spring grain production target of 3.53 million tons. This is achievable if farmers complete planting and is supported by the rains that are currently falling across the country.

Department statistics show that Mashonaland West has planted 485,421 hectares of corn compared to his 273,064 hectares last year, exceeding the target acreage of 360,000. Then in the Midlands he had 300,708 hectares of total planted area compared to his 275,799 hectares last year, which Manikaland compares to 285,879 hectares. 253,681 ha during the same period last year. Statistics show that 34,000 hectares have been planted as soybeans and 320,031 hectares as sorghum so far, compared to 23,188 hectares last year, compared to 216,741 hectares last year.

Pearl millet has been planted on about 169,348 hectares so far, compared to 116,087 hectares last year. The sunflower area is 56,215 hectares compared to his 8,507 hectares. Last year he was planted on 166,902 hectares.

Farmers are optimistic that yields will be high this year after good rains in most parts of the country.

Dr. Shadreck Macombe, president of the Zimbabwe Union of Merchants and Farmers (ZCFU), said rainfall has been high so far, which means a bountiful harvest is possible.

Farmers were well prepared and well informed for this season. Depina Nukomo, president of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust, said the planting had made great progress.

She said she expected a good harvest following good rain forecasts by the Bureau of Meteorology, and said the government’s pledge to support the majority of farmers with inputs was very much appreciated. added.

“We are making positive progress in planting,” Nkomo said.

She said, “Farmers are busy growing different crops. We are expecting a good harvest. Farmers are doing well this season and the progress shown so far points to a bright future for agriculture. ”

Edward Dune, former vice-president of the Zimbabwe National Farmers Union, said the future of corn is bright, with the involvement of vital private companies to boost agriculture.

“If farmers continue to receive payments in foreign currency, the future is bright,” he said. “We are optimistic that we will be able to meet our targets next year if private actors also join our agricultural partner governments.

“This is very important for our country because food security is an important part of our lives and we need to stockpile.”

The Second Republic has made food security a top priority, enabling almost all farmers of all sizes to participate in increasing the incomes of most rural households, and is working towards an agricultural economy of $8.2 billion by 2023. , which is underpinned by the country’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) – a driving force behind Vision 2030 to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle class economy.

The country needs her 2.2 million tons of corn for human and animal consumption, and the target of 3 million tons is to ensure that there are enough reserves if the next season is not very pleasant. Guaranteed.

Last year, after a long period of drought, a tight mid-season harvest made the need for stockpiling clear, but surpluses from the previous season filled the gap with some leftovers.