The government of Zimbabwe has said about 4 000 hectares of wheat have been destroyed by the rains with the largest portion of 3 225 affected in Mashonaland West province.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet briefing, ICT minister Jenfan Muswere said despite the damage, 58 972 hectares of wheat have been harvested so far.
He said, “the nation is further informed that the 58 972 ha which have so far been harvested have culminated in 255 618 metric tonnes (mt) of wheat.
“On a sad note, a total of 3 980 ha of the wheat crop was damaged by rains, with the largest hectarage of 3 225 being in Mashonaland West province.
“The nation is being informed that the GMB grain stocks as at 20 November, 2022 stand at 561 554 mt comprising 482 554 mt of maize and 79 120 mt of traditional grains.”
Using a monthly consumption rate of 49 295 mt (24 295 mt for Social Welfare and 25,000 mt to millers and stock feed manufacturers), the available grain will last for 11.4 months.
Millers and stock feed manufacturers are expected to import grain to cover the gap in their own requirements. A total of ZW$25.161 billion and US$24 million has since been paid out to farmers for grain intake since 1 April, 2022.
However, bumper harvest could cushion Zimbabwe from grain shortages triggered by the war between Russia and Ukraine.