A new variety of wheat called "SAVE" is helping Zimbabwe achieve a 30% surplus harvest, surpassing national targets.

In 2023, the area of Ethiopia allocated for irrigation to grow wheat increased to 1.3 million hectares, with a total harvest of over 10 million tons from an area of almost 3 million hectares. At the same time, Zimbabwe harvested 468,000 tons of wheat from 90,186 hectares in 2023, exceeding the national food self-sufficiency goal by 30%. These outstanding results were achieved thanks to the concerted efforts of farmers, scientific institutions, financial organizations, the private sector, and government policies to ensure their countries with wheat and flour.

Zimbabwe's plans for achieving self-sufficiency in wheat include introducing a new soft wheat variety called SAVE to the market, developed by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in collaboration with the Drought Resilience through Innovative Seed Systems (DRISS) organization.

The new variety thrives successfully in harsh conditions such as high temperatures, drought, and diseases like yellow rust and leaf rust. With the potential for yields of up to 7 tons per hectare, this variety is suitable for cultivation both in summer and winter and is ideal for Zimbabwe's diverse agricultural landscapes.

The implementation program of the SAVE variety, launched in 2022 and actively implemented in Zimbabwe in 2023, exceeded all expectations, yielding 468,000 tons of wheat from 90,186 hectares of planted crops, exceeding the national self-sufficiency goal by 30%. These results were made possible by the combined efforts of farmers, scientific institutions, financial organizations, the private sector, and government support through programs such as the Accelerated National Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Program (ANIRDP) and Smallholder Irrigation Revitalization Program (SIRP).

Looking ahead, the government of Zimbabwe plans to expand winter wheat cultivation to 120,000 hectares in 2024 to cope with potential food shortages caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

Focus on the irrigation systems of Rupike, Jombe, and Nyamubaravanda, field days demonstrated the impressive effectiveness of cultivating the SAVE wheat variety, sparking enthusiasm among farmers about its potential for achieving abundant harvests.

Organized by the local agricultural extension services DRISS, ICARDA, and community members, these events attracted a wide range of stakeholders, including government representatives, private seed companies, and local farmers. Field days turned into celebrations with theatrical performances and artist presentations in poems and songs appreciating the efforts of Zimbabwean farmers and highlighting the crucial role of agriculture in securing the country's future.

Through actions promoting the potential of the SAVE variety, communities were able to come together. Some outstanding farmers were recognized with awards such as quality seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural tools, demonstrating their commitment to the restoration of agriculture in Zimbabwe. With the participation of senior officials such as Dr. Dumisani Kutivayo, the Chief Executive Officer of DRISS, and the wheat team from ICARDA, the significance of this important achievement was emphasized.