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Zimbabwe’s focus on wheat set to yield biggest-ever harvest

Published

3 years ago

October 26, 2022

BY FARAI MUTSAKA

Zimbabwe says it is on the brink of its biggest wheat harvest in history, thanks in large part to efforts to overcome food supply problems caused by the war in Ukraine.

But bush fires and impending rains are threatening crops yet to be harvested.

Like other African countries, Zimbabwe has for decades relied on imports to offset low local production.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine resulted in global shortages and price hikes, the country wanted to ensure “self-sufficiency at all costs,” Agriculture deputy minister Vangelis Haritatos told The Associated Press this week.

The country expects to harvest 380,000 tons of wheat, “which is 20,000 more than we require as a country,” Haritatos said. That is up from about 300,000 tons produced last year.

“We are most likely to get the highest tonnage since 1962, when wheat was first introduced to Zimbabwe.

“A lot of countries are facing shortages, but the opposite is happening in Zimbabwe.”

While other hunger-stricken African countries are struggling with reduced wheat imports due to the war in Ukraine, Zimbabwe is looking at using its anticipated surplus of the grain to build “a small strategic reserve” for the first time in its history, Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka told journalists earlier this month.

This would cushion Zimbabwe against future shocks.

Masuka said Zimbabwe plans to bump up wheat production to about 420,000 tons next season, giving the country room to keep building its strategic reserve and become an exporter of the grain.

Wheat is Zimbabwe’s most important strategic crop after corn.

African countries — which imported 44 percent of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine between 2018 and 2020, according to U.N. figures — were hit hard by the global shortages and price hikes of grains as a result of the war.

The African Development Bank has reported a 45 percent increase in wheat prices on the continent.

African nations were at the center of Western efforts to reopen Ukraine’s ports as the United States and allies accused Russia of starving the world by denying exports from Ukraine, a key global grain exporter. African leaders also visited Russia to meet with Putin over the issue.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa in April described the war in Ukraine as a “wake-up call” for countries to grow their own food.

The answer in Zimbabwe has been to empower local farmers, said Haritatos, the deputy agriculture minister.

That included roping in hundreds of small-scale, rural farmers to start growing a crop that was traditionally reserved for large-scale commercial farmers, improving water supply infrastructure and distributing fertilisers to small-scale farmers as well as increasing private-sector participation.

The crop was introduced for the first time to areas and farmers who had never grown wheat before.

Winter corn production has given way to wheat in many areas, with Zimbabwe banking on corn reserves to meet demand for the staple food. Land used for growing wheat increased from 66,000 hectares (163,089 acres) in 2021 to 75,000 hectares this year and will grow to 100,000 hectares next season.

“A lot of countries discount small-scale farmers because they are so small that individually they cannot effect much change,” Haritatos said.

“But we organized them into clusters and convinced them that it was possible. The quality of most of their crops is premium.”

He said the war in Ukraine had made Zimbabwe “realize that we shouldn’t rely on other countries for food that we can grow on our own.”

However, Zimbabwe’s wheat is predominantly soft, and there is a need to blend it with imported hard wheat varieties to produce quality flour for bread, according to the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe.

But the government has ruled out imports amid the surplus, saying a special permit would be needed.

The wheat harvest runs from October to December. However, both farmers and the government are concerned by the threat of raging bush fires and imminent rains.

They say the fires are more devastating than in previous years as climate change contributes to an extended dry season.

“Farmers are increasingly getting worried about the time factor. It looks like the rains will be upon us soon. Wheat should be out of the fields,” said Paul Zakariya,

director of the Zimbabwe Farmers Union, which represents small-scale growers.

Officials said bush fires destroyed wheat worth nearly US$1 million in a single week in mid-October.

Zimbabwe is amid the “fire season,” characterised by severe heat and strong windy and arid conditions that precede the rainy season.

The government says it has deployed more combine harvesters to help farmers speed up the harvest and is carrying out fire prevention awareness programs.

The country’s environmental management agency has described bush fires as “one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. – AP

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Tourism bill clears National Assembly, moves to Senate

Published

24 hours ago

March 26, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Zimbabwe’s Tourism Act Amendment Bill has been passed by the National Assembly and now awaits debate in the Senate, marking a key step towards overhauling the country’s tourism sector.

According to the explanatory memorandum, “This Bill seeks to establish a Zimbabwe Tourism Authority that is responsible for the regulation for the tourism and hospitality industry, and the marketing of destination Zimbabwe.”

The proposed law strengthens the role of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), which will regulate, license and promote the industry. It also introduces stricter compliance measures for tourism operators.

Under the new provisions, registration and grading of facilities will be mandatory. The Bill states: “no person shall conduct or operate that designated tourist facility unless it is registered and graded.”

Authorities will also have enforcement powers, including shutting down non-compliant operators.

The legislation further extends regulation to online accommodation platforms, a growing segment in the tourism sector. It stipulates that: “All hosts must register with the Authority… before listing a property on an accommodation booking platform.”

To support industry growth, the Bill proposes the creation of a dedicated fund. It notes: “There is hereby established a fund to be known as the Zimbabwe Tourism Fund,” which will be used for “the development and promotion of the tourism and hospitality industry.”

Sustainability and inclusivity are also central to the new law. The Bill provides that: “All tourism policies, programs, and projects shall incorporate the principles of sustainable development.”

It further emphasises inclusion, stating that tourism development must mainstream “gender equality, disability inclusion, and the rights of indigenous peoples.”

Once enacted, the law will replace the current Tourism Act. The Bill clearly states it seeks “to repeal the Tourism Act [Chapter 14:20].”

The Bill now proceeds to the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to debate its provisions before it can be sent for presidential assent.

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MP probes Binga tourism, climate and conservation plans

Published

2 days ago

March 25, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Binga South legislator, Fanuel Cumanzala has called for clarity on tourism development and environmental protection in the Zambezi Valley.

In a parliamentary hearing, Cumanzala asked the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife:

“The plans the Ministry has in place to develop and promote tourism in Binga District, particularly around the Zambezi River, in order to enhance local economic development and create employment opportunities for residents.”

He added:

“The programmes being implemented to ensure that local communities in Binga District directly benefit from tourism.”

Further questions focused on sustainability and climate resilience:

“What measures are in place to ensure the protection and sustainable management of natural tourism assets in the Zambezi Valley, including wildlife, rivers and forests, in order to prevent environmental degradation.”

“The efforts being made to combat poaching in the Zambezi Valley, particularly in Binga District, and how local communities are being involved in wildlife protection initiatives.”

“The climate adaptation strategies being implemented to assist communities in Binga District in coping with droughts, floods, and other climate-related challenges affecting the Zambezi Valley.”

No ministerial responses were recorded.

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Matabeleland North shines in athletics at national schools competitions

Published

4 days ago

March 23, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Matabeleland North Province delivered a strong performance in athletics at the National Association of Primary School Heads (NAPH) competitions held in Bindura, scooping five gold medals despite challenges in other disciplines.

The competitions ran last week from 17 to 19, with 16 and 20 set aside for travel.

Speaking after the event, the Matabeleland North NAPH Vice Secretary, Edward Mudimba of Binga, told VicFallsLive that the province sent a delegation of 121 participants drawn from all seven districts.

Of these, 69 competed in track and field, 31 in drama, 16 in physical education, and eight in chess.

Athletics dominates medal haul

Matabeleland North’s strongest showing came in athletics, where the province secured five gold medals and 10 bronze medals.

A standout performer was Ashton Ndlovu of Hwange District’s Chamabondo Primary School, who won three gold medals in the Under-14 boys’ 100m, 200m and 400m races.

Another gold medal came from Mbuewa Sisasenkosi of Dundubala Primary School in Umguza, who won the Under-13 girls’ 800m race.

The fifth gold medal was secured in the Under-13 boys’ 4x100m relay.

Chess team shows promise

In chess, Matabeleland North fielded eight players across Under-8, Under-12 and Under-14 categories.

The province recorded its best results in the Under-8 category, where Philip Ndlovu of Sigonda Primary School in Nkayi won gold, while Prudence from Mathe Primary School in Tsholotsho secured a silver medal.

The results earned the province an overall silver medal and a trophy in the Under-8 category.

“We see a lot of potential in the Under-8 category and we believe we can build on that,” said Mudimba.

Struggles in drummies and physical education

However, the province faced challenges in other disciplines.

The drummies team, finished ninth out of 10 provinces.

Physical education, represented by David Livingstone Primary School in Umguza, also underperformed, finishing seventh.

“We didn’t do very well in drummies and physical education, but these are areas we are still developing and we hope to improve going forward,”Mudimba said.

Call for resources

Mudimba attributed the weaker performance in some categories to limited resources.

“Our main challenge is resources, particularly financial support. We need to improve our preparations and displays, especially in physical education, before we can expect better results,” he said.

Top three overall winners

Harare
Mashonaland Central
Mashonaland West