Source: Manicaland eyes full grain silos after strong planting season – herald
Theseus Shambare
MANICALAND Province is positioning itself for a bumper harvest after exceeding planting targets across key crops, raising expectations that the newly commissioned grain silos in Mutare will receive substantial stocks this season.
Speaking during a provincial summer cropping assessment in Chipinge, Manicaland Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) director, Mr Nhamo Mudada, said the province had surpassed its maize planting target, a development that signals improved food security prospects.
“In our probe in Manicaland, we are excited by the progress of our summer cropping season,” he said.
“We recorded 103 percent planting of the maize crop, moving from a target of 265 000 hectares to about 274 839,8 hectares, which is 3 percent above target,” said Mr Mudada.
He said crop conditions across the province were generally good, particularly maize planted in mid-November.
Some crops also benefited from timely rains and supplementary irrigation.
“The crop that was planted in mid-November is looking very good,” Mr Mudada said.
“Some of it was planted with supplementary irrigation and we are looking forward to harvesting more than eight tonnes per hectare from such fields.”
Mr Mudada said the positive outlook had been reinforced by current weather conditions, with a sunny break creating an opportunity for farmers to intensify field management practices.
“This week we are experiencing a sunny break and we are encouraging farmers to go into their fields to apply herbicides and scout for pests so that we secure a good harvest,” he said.
Beyond maize, the province has also recorded strong performance in small grains, which are being promoted as part of the Government’s climate-resilient agriculture strategy, particularly in drier areas.
“Of particular interest is rapoko, which was planted to 132 percent of the target. We continue to advise farmers in dry regions to prioritise small grains because they perform better under such conditions. Overall, we saw an increase of about 70 percent above target, which is commendable,” said Mr Mudada.
He said the strong planting performance across crops underscored growing farmer responsiveness to extension advice and Government programmes aimed at boosting productivity.
Mr Mudada linked the expected harvest to national grain storage infrastructure, expressing hope that Manicaland’s output would contribute significantly to strategic reserves.
“We remember that His Excellency the President commissioned the grain silos in Mutare,” he said.
“We want to see those silos filled.”
The Government has been pushing for increased production to stabilise national grain supplies, reduce import dependence and strengthen food security, with ARDAS playing a central role in farmer training, crop monitoring and advisory services.
With crops in good condition and planting targets exceeded, Manicaland now looks set to play a key role in the country’s 2025 harvest, provided favourable weather patterns continue through the remainder of the season.
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