Zimbabwe achieves 99% of maize planting target for 2024/2025 season

ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe has achieved 99 percent of its maize planting target for the 2024/2025 summer cropping season, with 1,790,917 hectares planted out of the targeted 1.8 million hectares, the Ministry of Agriculture has reported.

This marks a significant increase from the previous season’s 1,209,747 hectares, with the condition of the crops reported to be generally good across the country. Several provinces have surpassed their planting goals, signaling strong agricultural performance this year.

Mashonaland West recorded the highest maize hectarage, planting 360,276 hectares, surpassing its 360,000-hectare target. Manicaland also exceeded expectations, planting 273,031 hectares against a target of 265,000 hectares, while Mashonaland East achieved 101% of its target with 242,470 hectares.

Similarly, Matabeleland North surpassed its 110,000-hectare goal, reaching 111,670 hectares. Other regions, including Masvingo and Mashonaland Central, also made significant contributions, reinforcing the country’s strong maize production outlook.

According to Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, 65% of the maize crop is currently in the early reproductive stage and is in good condition.

He emphasized that 15% of the crop, which was planted by the end of November 2024, has progressed to the soft dough and hard dough stages, indicating strong potential for a fruitful harvest.

However, Jiri fears that 20% of the maize crop remains in the medium to late vegetative stages, necessitating urgent top-dressing fertilization to minimize nutrient leaching and boost yields.

Alongside maize production, Zimbabwean farmers are increasingly adopting traditional grains such as sorghum, pearl millet, and rapoko, which are more resilient to drought conditions.

The latest figures show that 408,615 hectares of sorghum have been planted nationwide, achieving 98% of the target. Pearl millet has reached 167,113 hectares, representing 61% of the goal, while rapoko has covered 27,072 hectares, or 78% of its target.

These drought-tolerant crops are gaining prominence as part of efforts to enhance food security amid shifting climate patterns.

The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) is playing a key role in bolstering food security by expanding its grain cultivation.

For the current season, ARDA has set a goal of planting 100,000 hectares, allocating 60,000 hectares to maize and 40,000 hectares to traditional grains. This initiative aligns with broader national efforts to increase food reserves and encourage the cultivation of resilient crops in regions prone to erratic rainfall.

The agricultural sector is also witnessing growth in other crops. Soybean planting has reached 40,103 ha (52% of the target), cotton 122,493 ha (45%), groundnuts 221,118 ha (57%), and sunflower 39,428 ha (25%). 

While rainfall distribution has generally been favorable, agricultural experts are urging farmers to adopt sustainable water conservation techniques.

Dr. Shadreck Makombe, president of the Commercial Farmers Union, stressed the importance of water harvesting as a critical measure in response to climate change.

“Water harvesting is key during these climate-changing times,” he said.

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