Zimbabwe Farmers Union Welcome SI 81 of 2025, urge support to boost output

Chimwemwe Phiri

The Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) has welcomed a new government regulation, Statutory Instrument 81 of 2025, restricting grain and oilseed imports, saying the measure could strengthen domestic production and improve food security if backed by adequate support for farmers.

SI 81 of 2025 amends by-laws under the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) to require processors to gradually increase purchases from local producers. The rules set a minimum of 40% local sourcing by April 2026, rising to full local procurement by April 2028.

“The Zimbabwe Farmers Union welcomes the promulgation of SI 81 of 2025 … which marks a decisive step by the Government of Zimbabwe to strengthen local agricultural value chains, enhance food security and support domestic producers,” the union said in a statement.

The regulation also tightens import controls and introduces a pricing mechanism requiring processors to pay the difference between import costs and local production costs into an agricultural fund.

Authorities say the measures are aimed at reducing reliance on imports and promoting “food sovereignty,” while ensuring that domestic producers are not undercut by cheaper foreign grain.

The ZFU said the phased targets would create predictable demand for farmers while allowing time to increase output.”This phased approach recognizes the need to bolster domestic production capacity while creating predictable demand for Zimbabwean farmers,”it said.

The policy comes as Zimbabwe operates a largely liberalised grain market, where the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) mainly buys maize from farmers under state-supported programmes, while other producers sell through private contracts, exchanges such as the Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX), or directly to millers and feed manufacturers.

ZFU noted that according to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Zimbabwe recorded a cereal requirement of about 1.39 million tonnes for the 2024/25 season, alongside production figures cited in official assessments. However, grain millers and stockfeed manufacturers have argued that local supplies remain insufficient and have pushed for import permits.

The ZFU rejected those claims, saying they “clearly demonstrate an appetite for cheaper imports at the expense of locally produced grain.”The union said restrictions on imports would help protect farmers’ incomes and rural livelihoods. “By safeguarding local markets, the regulation helps retain value in our agriculture sector, supports livelihoods in rural communities, and contributes to broader goals of rural resilience and climate-smart agriculture,” it said.

However, the union warned that success would depend on stronger support systems. It called for improved access to finance, mechanisation and drought-resistant seed, as well as transparent purchasing arrangements from processors.

“We call for adequate extension support … transparent and fair purchase protocols … and access to finance and infrastructure so that our farmers can meet the increased local demand without sacrificing quality or profitability,” the ZFU said.

The union added it was ready to work with government and industry players to implement the policy effectively, saying the regulation “represents a welcome policy signal that Zimbabwe is serious about elevating its agricultural sector, protecting farmer interests and building food sovereignty.”