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Denial Mhonda Mutare Correspondent
Manicaland recorded significant wheat output following implementation of programmes targeted at increasing production this season. Manicaland Agritex provincial officer Mrs Phillipa Rwambiwa said the 2018 wheat season output had surpassed that of previous years.

She said despite a decline in the area planted this season, output had increased to about 17 445,4 tonnes.
“The hectarage that was planted this season was lower compared to last season’s, but the yields are higher.
“Commercial farmers were contracted and they each had yields of eight tonnes per hectare or more,” she said.

She said a total of 2 683,9 hectares of wheat were planted, of which 2035, 8ha were under the Command Agriculture programme. Smallholder farmers planted 216ha, while 432,6ha was planted by communal farmers. There was an average yield of 6,6 tonnes per hectare.

Mrs Rwambiwa commended the Command Wheat programme, which has contributed to the significant growth in wheat production in the province.

“This year’s success was largely contributed by the Command Agriculture programme that also assisted with combiners harvesters when we had challenges, especially in areas like Makoni. Farmers need to improve on area planted in the next season to ensure that we keep increasing output,” she said.

Mrs Rwambiwa said only 20ha was caught by the first rains while still in the fields, but there had been no reports of significant damage.