Despite a general improvement in crop yields following the 2024/25 agricultural season, several districts across Zimbabwe are still grappling with food shortages, prompting government intervention in the most affected areas.
The nation is still recovering from the widespread hunger caused by the El Niño-induced drought that struck during the 2023/24 season.
Speaking during the 25th post-Cabinet media briefing, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said that Zimbabwe’s updated food balance sheet—projecting up to March 2026—shows that the country has enough grain at the national level. However, he acknowledged that some regions are experiencing localized shortages.
“To address current shortages, government has already delivered 30 metric tonnes of grain to the San community in Tsholotsho,” Muswere stated.
Tsholotsho is among a list of chronically food-insecure districts that includes Buhera, Binga, Beitbridge, Mudzi, Gwanda, Mwenezi, Muzarabani, Chiredzi, and Mberengwa.
Muswere also provided an update on crop marketing, noting that around 272,870 metric tonnes of grains and oilseeds—including maize, soybeans, sorghum, wheat, and sunflower—have been sold, with a significant portion traded outside formal systems.
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has reportedly increased its intake from 12.8% to 21.6%, and the Strategic Grain Reserve currently holds 133,115 metric tonnes of grain. To improve accessibility, 1,804 mobile grain collection centers have been established in all wards.
Under the Presidential Input Scheme, beneficiary farmers are expected to contribute 10kg of grain per household towards the local reserve.
The cotton marketing season commenced on July 24, with 27.9 million kilograms sold across six contractors. Meanwhile, tobacco sales have surged to 354.4 million kilograms by August 18—up 53% from 231 million kilograms sold during the same period in the previous year. Tobacco seed sales are also up 12%, with a 2025/26 target of 360 million kilograms.
Muswere shared that the Winter Cereals Plan targets 135,500 hectares: 120,000 ha for wheat, 6,500 ha for barley, and 9,000 ha for potatoes. Projected wheat output stands at 600,000 metric tonnes.
For the summer cropping season, the focus is on tailoring production to suit different agro-ecological zones, strengthening household-level resilience through climate-smart practices like Pfumvudza/Intwasa, and expanding national irrigation coverage.
The government-backed Input Support Scheme will prioritize crops such as maize, pearl millet, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower, groundnuts, sugar beans, and African peas.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has been tasked with ensuring national food, seed, feed, and oil security. Its targets include producing 500,000 metric tonnes of summer cereals from 100,000 ha and 300,000 metric tonnes of winter cereals from 60,000 ha. ARDA will supply farmers with seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals.
In terms of oilseed production, the country is planning for 75,688 megalitres during the 2025/26 season—still below the national annual demand of 180,000 megalitres. Sunflower cultivation will be a key focus.
The National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme will be financed by banks like AFC, CBZ, and NMB, backed by state guarantees. It will target the production of maize, soybeans, traditional grains, and sunflower.
Private sector players are also expected to contract 27,000 ha of maize, 17,000 ha of soybeans, and 10,000 ha of sorghum, yielding an estimated 224,500 metric tonnes.
Under the Cottco scheme, supported farmers will be required to deliver a portion of their cotton harvest. To diversify incomes, sesame cultivation will be promoted alongside cotton.
To support agribusiness development, 3,945 boreholes have been drilled for use by village, school, youth, and vocational training center business units.
Irrigation infrastructure continues to be a priority, with 15,000 hectares to be developed before the 2025/26 season begins. This will increase the country’s irrigable land to 232,000 hectares, with 100,000 hectares available for summer crops.
Muswere said the GMB will purchase all summer crops grown under the Presidential Input and ARDA schemes, as well as from self-funded farmers. It will serve as the buyer of last resort for all grains, while contractors are required to purchase contracted crops at market rates.
Farmers are encouraged to insure their crops and treat insurance as an essential farming input.
The 2025/26 fisheries initiative aims to stock three million fingerlings in 2,000 fish ponds under the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme. Five strategic fish hatcheries will be developed at Henderson, Makoholi, Matopos, Bubi-Lupane, and Chipinge Coffee Research Institute.
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