Record wheat harvest still possible in Zimbabwe despite rains

Source: Record wheat harvest still possible despite rains | Herald (Top Stories) Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Senior Reporter ZIMBABWE is still on course to register a record wheat harvest and win self-sufficiency for this grain at long last, despite about one percent of the total crop having to be written off as a result of the early rains received in most parts of the country over the past week. The country is expected to harvest 380 000 tonnes of wheat this season, more than the national requirement of 360 000 tonnes to meet domestic demand, so ensuring self-sufficiency with a modest carry-over stock. Farmers still harvesting wheat have been affected by the early rains, but with more than two thirds of the crop now safely harvested and sunny spells forecast, the rain damage is most likely to be seen in quality rather than quantity. After yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said the damage would mostly affect ...