Online Reporter
IN a remarkable turnaround, Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector is demonstrating unprecedented potential, with a record wheat production target of 600 000 tonnes for the 2025 season signalling a new era of productivity.
This resurgence represents the foundational catalyst for the country’s long-awaited industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
Under President Mnangagwa’s directive to transition from rain-fed agriculture, a concerted push towards climate-smart farming and value addition is now positioning agriculture as the engine for a diversified, resilient economy.
By strategically leveraging this agricultural boom, Zimbabwe can reignite its industrial sector, create sustainable jobs and climate-proof its future.
The symbiotic relationship between agriculture and industry is undeniable.
Historically, Zimbabwe’s strong agriculture sector supplied about 65 percent of raw materials for local industries, from clothing and textiles to milling and baking.
However, the precipitous decline in output in the sector, especially following the seismic shift in land ownership following the inexorable Land Reform Programme at the turn of the millennium, led to a dramatic collapse in industrial production.
The current revival of wheat, maize and other key crops is, therefore, a critical step towards reconnecting these severed supply chains.
A consistent surplus of agricultural commodities provides the raw materials needed to revive local manufacturing.
For instance, a sustained bumper wheat harvest directly supports local bakeries, milling companies and food processors, reducing the need for imports. It stimulates local production.
The Government’s target for the agriculture sector to reach US$13,7 billion by 2025 underscores the scale of this opportunity.
With annual domestic wheat consumption estimated at 360 000 tonnes, the projected surplus creates room for export earnings and saves critical foreign currency. This aligns with calls for import substitution, which strengthens local industries and improves the national balance of payments.
Moving beyond the export of raw commodities to value addition is perhaps the most significant opportunity for job creation and sustainable development.
Value addition transforms raw agricultural products into higher-value goods, capturing more of the economic benefits within the country.
Therefore, investing in agro-processing — such as milling, oil extraction, juice production and canning — not only increases profitability for farmers but also creates employment across logistics, packaging and marketing.
This approach is central to fostering rural industrialisation, ensuring that economic growth is not concentrated in urban centres but dispersed to empower communities where the crops are actually grown.
It must also be borne in mind that Zimbabwe’s agricultural revival is occurring against the backdrop of significant climate challenges, including erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts.
The President’s thrust to switch from rain-fed agriculture is, therefore, not just a policy but a necessity for survival and growth.
Fortunately, the sector is already adapting.
The Government’s preparedness for the 2025 winter wheat season, which ensured adequate water supply for over 120 000 hectares of irrigation, is a prime example of this shift.
Expanding modern irrigation systems, including solar-powered solutions, is critical to de-risking agriculture from climate variability.
It is also encouraging that over 60 percent of Zimbabwean farmers are reportedly adopting climate-smart techniques.
These include the use of drought-tolerant crop varieties, conservation agriculture and precision farming technologies.
Satellite monitoring and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered advisories are helping farmers optimise water and input use, leading to greater resilience and higher yields.
Overall, Zimbabwe’s record-breaking agricultural output is a beacon of hope.
But to truly harness this potential for industrialisation and inclusive economic growth, a sustained and strategic focus on two fronts is essential.
First, the nation must aggressively invest in and incentivise value addition to transform raw produce into finished goods, thereby creating jobs and retaining more wealth within the country.
Second, the adoption of modern, climate-smart farming methods must be accelerated to build a resilient agriculture sector capable of withstanding environmental shocks.
The seeds of Zimbabwe’s economic transformation have been sown.
By nurturing them with sound policies, targeted investments and a commitment to value addition, the country can indeed reap a harvest that feeds not just the nation, but also fuels its industries and secures a prosperous, sustainable future for all its citizens.
As the country transitions to the next five-year plan, the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the right policies should be put in place to ensure that the continued increase in agricultural production is accompanied by comprehensive investment and promotion of agro-processing to ensure sustained industrialisation and modernisation of our economy.
