Zimbabwe has accelerated access to combine harvesters due to early rainfall threatening unharvested winter wheat across the country. The government aims to complete harvesting by month's end after farmers planted more than 120,000 hectares that could yield a record 600,000 tonnes. Permanent Secretary Obert Jiri confirmed authorities deployed dryers at centers nationwide to salvage crops damaged by precipitation.
A hailstorm destroyed 72 hectares at Tuli Makwe Irrigation Scheme in Gwanda District earlier this month, reducing expected output from 360 tonnes to less than half. Matabeleland North Province reported only 300 hectares remained unharvested from 2,384 hectares planted, with crews working day and night shifts to finish within five days. Phaphamani Irrigation Scheme farmers in Nyamandlovu completed eight of 15 hectares with rented equipment before the equipment returns to its owner.
