Vice President Constantino Chiwenga says there was need for an increased investment in wheat production in the once mainstay of the economy through private sector support on individual farmers.

Speaking at a Winter Wheat Programme in Kwekwe Friday, Chiwenga told farmers wheat production was essential for a country that is directing millions of scarce financial resources every year to import the staple.

"The production of winter, wheat is therefore, essential for the country, as it provides the raw materials for the bread and confectionery industry," Chiwenga said.

"In this regard, there is need for increased investment by the private sector and individual farmers to augment government efforts in revamping the sector," he said.

"Let me hasten to say that the production of wheat is not the preserve of A2 farmers and large scale institutions only, but can be done by all farming sectors including communal and A1 farmers as well as smallholder irrigation schemes," Chiwenga said.