The condition of the wheat crop is impressive in Zimbabwe

Source: The Herald – Breaking news. Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter The bulk of the early planted wheat is now at vegetative stage, while the late planted crop is germinating, but in good condition. A total of 121 000 hectares have been planted under winter wheat this year and this is expected to produce over 600 000 tonnes of the cereal, well above the 468 000 tonnes last year, the highest ever recorded since wheat growing started in 1966. The annual requirement for traditional food products, mainly bread, baking flour and pastas, is just 360 000 tonnes, so the far larger harvests now becoming the norm open the doors to many more products and more innovation in Zimbabwean kitchens. Farmers are urged to apply adequate top dressing fertiliser, scouting to control aphids, fall armyworm, rust, quelea birds, correct irrigation scheduling and weed control. Besides the wheat another 6 449ha has been planted under barley, which largely goes towards malting and brewing. According to a ...