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Ellen Chasokela Herald Reporter

Mashonaland West Province is leading in maize production with 228 073 tonnes despite the output being 51 percent lower than what was achieved in the 2017/2018, a crop and livestock assessment report reveals

The province’s yield came from 297 360 hectares planted in the 2018/2019 summer cropping season.

Mashonaland Central is second in terms of output with 159 184 tonnes, while Mashonaland East is third with 153 831 tonnes.

Midlands is expected to harvest 93 703 tonnes, Masvingo (60 962), Matabeleland South (16 781 tonnes), Matabeleland North (13 031 tonnes) and Manicaland (51 070 tonnes).

The estimated overall maize output is 776 635 tonnes, representing a 54 percent decline from the 1 700 702 tonnes obtained in the 2017/2018 season due to erratic rains.

At least 1 623 757 hectares were put under maize in the 2018/2019 season, down from 1 722 718 in the earlier season.

Midlands had the largest hectarage under maize at 333 118.

According to the report, communal areas farmers delivered the highest grain of 251 576 tonnes this year against 540 939 tonnes in the 2017/2018 season.

A2 farmers contributed 239 108 tonnes and A1 farmers (187 504 tonnes). Average maize average yields decreased by 51 percent to 0,48 tonnes per hectare in the current season from 0,99 tonnes per hectare in the 2017/2018 season.

The yield ranges from 0,27 tonnes per hectare.

The 2018/2019 season was characterised by late on-set of rains across the country and false starts in the southern and south-eastern parts of the country, affecting the planted crop establishment.

Long dry spells January and February also conspired to negatively affect the planted crop.

Climate change has seen the country experiencing unpredictable rainfall patterns in the last decade or so, hence the declining yields.

The changes in climate have also brought droughts and floods in some parts of the country.

Climate-induced extremes experienced in the country over the last five years undermine the ability of farmers, ecosystems and Government to cope and recover as they place enormous pressure on livelihoods and the economy.