By Violet Mashonga
Mashonaland West Province is celebrating unprecedented success in agricultural productivity, following record-breaking maize yields achieved in the 2024–2025 farming season.
A field day held on May 23, 2025, at the homestead of Armstrong Mupfumira—of Armten Brands and a farmer at Mukuyu Village, Plot 31—highlighted this achievement.
Mupfumira’s 20-hectare maize field is expected to yield an impressive 10 tons per hectare, showcasing the effectiveness of modern, collaborative farming practices.
A key contributor to this success is SeedCo, a leading agricultural company. Speaking at the event, SeedCo Commercial Agronomist Godwill Macherera said, “We are delighted to work with farmers like Armstrong, providing high-quality inputs and agronomic expertise to support increased productivity.”
The success is the result of a strong partnership between SeedCo, Agritex, and farmers across the province, promoting climate-resilient agriculture.
Provincial Agritex Director Medalina Magwenzi commended the progress made, despite challenging weather conditions.
“We surpassed our target of 360,000 hectares, reaching 384,000 hectares. Our average yield per hectare has grown from 0.9 tons to 1.5 tons, increasing total production from 252,000 metric tons to 356,000 metric tons,” she said.
Magwenzi also noted the province’s strong start to the planting season.
“We’ve planted 8,100 hectares so far, with 7,300 hectares successfully germinated. This is a significant milestone, considering the late rains and water challenges we faced.”
Provincial Agronomist Siyena Makaza emphasized the importance of good agricultural practices in driving productivity.
“Farmers must prioritize soil testing, install rain gauges, and implement effective weed control measures to achieve consistent success,” he advised.
The government has pledged its continued support to farmers through key initiatives such as the installation of 35,000 boreholes in rural communities and the promotion of climate-smart agriculture.
“Let’s begin treating farming as a business,” urged the Minister of State (represented by the District Development Coordinator), encouraging farmers to formalize their operations by registering their farms and securing title deeds.
The historic yields in Mashonaland West are a testament to the power of partnerships, innovation, and resilience in agriculture.
With sustained support from government, SeedCo, and other stakeholders, farmers are well-positioned to drive further agricultural growth and enhance food security across Zimbabwe.
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