Rumbidzai Mhlanga
Zimbabwe is on the brink of a significant agricultural transformation, with the government targeting a 347% increase in cereal production for the 2024/2025 farming season.
This ambitious plan unveiled by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka, during the Thirty-Eighth Post-Cabinet Press Briefing, aims to achieve food security and replenish the nation’s Strategic Grain Reserve.
Grain stocks at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) currently stand at 253,665 metric tonnes, primarily wheat.
To address a maize deficit of one million metric tonnes, the government has issued 885 permits to 423 companies, resulting in over one million tonnes of grain imports.
“The measures we have put in place are designed to ensure adequate supply during the festive season while eliminating arbitrage opportunities,”read the statement.
The recent winter cropping season has further bolstered the country’s food security, with 563,961 metric tonnes of wheat harvested. Of this, over 91,000 metric tonnes have been delivered to the GMB.
Meanwhile, farmers across the country have begun planting summer crops, encouraged by forecasts of normal to above-normal rainfall.
The government’s plan targets 3.24 million hectares, with maize accounting for 1.8 million hectares. Over 635,000 hectares will be supported under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Climate-Proofed Presidential Inputs Scheme, while additional funding will come from banks, private sector partners, and individual farmers.
“This season’s plan is not just about securing food; it’s about building resilience and ensuring Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector thrives in the face of climate challenges,” the statement emphasized.
Cotton and tobacco are also key focuses of the agricultural drive. More than 427,550 cotton farmers are set to cultivate 278,750 hectares under contract farming, while the tobacco sector has recorded an 8% increase in grower registrations compared to 2023. The sector is targeting 300 million kilograms of production for the 2024/2025 season.
In addition to crop production, livestock support efforts are underway, with feed distributed to 27 districts to sustain over 107,000 cattle. Silo expansion projects at depots such as Lupane and Rutenga are progressing to enhance grain storage capacity.
With robust measures, favourable weather conditions, and farmer participation, Zimbabwe is poised for a landmark agricultural season that could redefine its food security and economic outlook.
