Mashonaland West targets planting 35,000 hectares under winter wheat
MASHONALAND West Province has signalled its readiness for the 2026 winter wheat season, with some farmers already planting as the province moves to meet an ambitious target of 35,000 hectares. A stakeholder meeting recently convened at the Chinhoyi Showgrounds brought together key players, including ARDA Joint Ventures, ARDA Presidential Irrigation, the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity […] The post Mashonaland West targets planting 35,000 hectares under winter wheat appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
Black News 
MASHONALAND West Province has signalled its readiness for the 2026 winter wheat season, with some farmers already planting as the province moves to meet an ambitious target of 35,000 hectares.
A stakeholder meeting recently convened at the Chinhoyi Showgrounds brought together key players, including ARDA Joint Ventures, ARDA Presidential Irrigation, the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), the Food Crops Contractors Association (FCCA), Agritex, and various financing banks. The stakeholders spoke with one voice, emphasising the need for a swift start to production to surpass the provincial goal.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo, in a speech read on her behalf by Permanent Secretary Josphat Jaji, challenged wheat farmers to uphold the province’s upward production trend.
“A total of 30,100 hectares have already been contracted to date and l encourage those yet to sign up to do so before the fast-approaching cutoff date,” said Chombo.
National Field Service Manager with ARDA, Forbes Maodzwa, stated that the agency is 100% prepared for the season. He noted that ARDA’s provincial target stands at 16,500 hectares, with 13,835 hectares, approximately 80 percent, already covered.
Maodzwa expressed total confidence that the remaining hectarage would be secured within the coming week.
Tichaona Mapfoche, a prominent large-scale farmer in Mashonaland West, affirmed that growers are eager to contribute to national food self-sufficiency as outlined under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2). He noted that farmers have already begun receiving seed and fertilizer, with many already engaged in planting.
Mapfoche emphasised that as the backbone of the economy, the farming community is committed to the attainment of Vision 2030, aimed at achieving an upper-middle-income society.
Agritex Chief Agronomist Sibongile Mangena Chikore added that preparatory meetings are essential for a successful season. She urged farmers to take these interactive platforms seriously, as they provide the vital information and education necessary to ensure high productivity throughout the winter wheat cycle.
The post Mashonaland West targets planting 35,000 hectares under winter wheat appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
