Government intensifies Quelea Bird control measures

Judith Phiri,Zimpapers Writer

The Government has intensified quelea bird control measures to protect winter wheat crops by targeting major breeding areas in various parts of the country.

This comes at a time when the country is poised for a record wheat harvest, after farmers across Zimbabwe exceeded the 120,000-hectare target set for the 2025 winter cropping season, with over 122,142 hectares planted by mid-June.

The red-billed quelea is the most damaging pest of wheat, sorghum and millet in Zimbabwe. Quelea is a small passerine bird of the weaver family Ploceidae, native to sub-Saharan Africa.

The southern race of quelea breeds in arid areas, which are predominantly border areas in Zimbabwe forming part of Parks and Wildlife Estates with neighbouring countries.

Red-billed quelea prefer feeding on seeds of annual grasses, but when these are no longer available, small grain crops become the next option — therefore becoming a major threat.

Expressing confidence in the 2025 winter wheat season, Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) acting chief director, Mr Leonard Munamati, emphasised the Government’s preparedness to combat threats such as quelea birds.

“Quelea birds can damage wheat crops during maturity. 10,000 litres of phenethylamine, a chemical used to control the birds, has already been secured and is being distributed to provinces. District agri-tech heads have also been equipped with vehicles to respond swiftly where needed,” he said.

He said, in addition, drones and support from the Department of National Parks were part of an integrated quelea bird control strategy.

Mr Munamati praised the coordination across Government and partners, noting that this whole-of-society approach was key to protecting national food security and achieving high yields in 2025.

He added: “In terms of the winter wheat, strong crop performance across Zimbabwe has been recorded. Programmes supporting wheat production are all showing positive results. This points to the potential for a record-breaking harvest this year.”

The Government is targeting to surpass 600,000 tonnes in wheat harvest this year.

The bulk of the wheat was planted within the window period of 1 to 31 May, and the crop is expected to yield over 5.5 tonnes per hectare.

Winter wheat planting typically runs from mid-April to late May, with the first two weeks of May considered the ideal window for planting in the highveld. While planting can extend into mid-June, this is generally discouraged due to the diminishing yield potential. In the lowveld, planting may commence earlier.

This year, the Government extended the wheat planting window until 15 June in a move to bolster national food security by giving farmers ample time to harvest maize.

 

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