Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE has demonstrated its agricultural prowess since 2018 by achieving high yields across several crops, firmly positioning itself at the forefront of fighting hunger and countering critics of the irreversible Land Reform Programme.
Since the establishment of the Second Republic, agriculture has been identified as a top priority, with President Mnangagwa consistently emphasising the need for increased production and productivity.
As a result of these efforts, Zimbabwe has not only surpassed its initial agricultural target of US$8 billion way ahead of schedule, but has had to revise this target to US$13,75 billion by 2025, despite the challenges such as the worst drought in over 40 years in the 2023/24 season.
Under the Second Republic, the country has celebrated successive record-breaking wheat production, alongside notable achievements in tobacco and maize production.
Statistics reveal that Zimbabwe is the largest grower of tobacco in Africa, and ranks sixth globally, following staple producers such as China, India, Brazil, the United States and Indonesia.
These three nations alone account for over 55 percent of global tobacco production, and they have sustained their production levels without requiring additional hectarage.
Other countries making the top ten tobacco producers include Indonesia, Malawi, Mozambique, Türkiye, the United Republic of Tanzania and the United States.
In terms of wheat production, Zimbabwe stands proudly among the top eight producers in Africa.
It shares the unique distinction, alongside Ethiopia, of being wheat self-sufficient and having maintained food security for the past four seasons.
Ethiopia recently produced over 4 million tonnes of wheat for its 100 million population, while Zimbabwe achieved a record-breaking wheat yield of 639 942 tonnes, exceeding its national target of 600 000 tonnes to feed its 16 million people.
Further, Zimbabwe has earned recognition as one of the world’s largest exporters of blueberries. The revival of the agriculture sector has yielded significant dividends, impacting the global market.
Last year alone, the country’s blueberry exports surged 85 percent, surpassing 5 000 tonnes, thereby earning a position in the top 15 global exporters list.
For the 2024 season, Zimbabwe produced approximately 8 000 tonnes of blueberries and is projecting a significant increase to between 10 000 and 12 000 tonnes for the 2025 season, capitalising on early entry into the European and Asian markets.
In the 2024/25 season, Zimbabwe achieved approximately 1,8 million tonnes of maize, marking a substantial recovery from the drought-induced output of 700 000 tonnes in the previous season.
While Zambia reported a maize output of 3,7 million tonnes, Zimbabwe’s continuous improvements are noteworthy.
Thanks to exceptional performances in the agriculture sector, Zimbabwe is on course to realise Vision 2030, which aims to transform the country into an upper-middle-class society ahead of schedule.
As efforts to consolidate food security progress, Zimbabwe is now striving to become a net exporter of various agricultural products, including wheat, tobacco, horticultural goods, and citrus fruits.
The Agriculture Recovery and Growth Plan introduced in 2020 has played a pivotal role in reversing negative trends within the sector and elevating it to its present state.
Notably, Zimbabwe has registered unprecedented tobacco output of 350 million kilogrammes for this marketing season, setting a new national record that surpasses the previous year’s total of 296 million kilogrammes.
This milestone not only reflects the hard work and resilience of farmers, but is also valued at approximately US$1,16 billion, highlighting the economic significance of the agricultural sector.
Local farmers have benefited from a range of support initiatives under the Second Republic, which has increased private sector participation in agriculture.
President Mnangagwa has consistently stated that the Land Reform Programme is irreversible, a sentiment echoed by tangible successes on the ground.
The Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy has been launched to ensure effective land utilisation, aiming to boost production significantly.
Tobacco Farmers union Trust, president Mr Edward Dune said Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is entering a new dawn.
“Our farmers have now acquired the knowledge and skills required to use the land productively and restore Zimbabwe to its former glory in the SADC region.
“The Government has also supported farming, especially for farmers resettled under the Land Reform programme, by ensuring that every ward across the country has two extension officers to impart knowledge to the new farmers.
“Before the land reform, very few former commercial farmers had formal training in agriculture, but now we are well-positioned to restore the country to its breadbasket status in the region,” he said.
Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers Association Trust president, Mrs Depinah Nkomo, echoed a similar sentiment, stating that Zimbabwe’s future is undeniably bright, with last season’s production serving as a testament.
“Last season was a great season because everything was in order. Farmers planted on time after receiving inputs promptly, and prices of inputs were lowered to an extent that the majority could afford to buy.
“The season was good, and we hope for even better seasons in the future.”
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri, reiterated the Government’s unyielding commitment to advancing the agricultural sector.
“We began to operationalise the Agricultural Recovery Growth Plan, which enabled us to score 2,7 million tonnes of maize during the 2020-2021 cropping season,” he said.
“We recorded 375 000 tonnes of wheat in 2022 and increased it to 639 942 tonnes, making us flour self-sufficient. The Government has also initiated public-private sector engagements to ensure our projections for maize harvests are realised.”
Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is flourishing, establishing itself as a significant player on the global stage and setting a sustainable path for future development.
