Online Reporter
Minister Dr Zhemu Soda
IN the post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda indicated key milestones in Zimbabwe’s food security journey, which have resulted in improvements in its ranking on the Global Hunger Index, as well as removal from hunger hotspot countries in 2024. Below, we explain what this ranking is and what it means
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1. New Ranking on the Global Report on Food Crisis 2026 & Global Hunger Index
According to the Global Report on Food Crises 2026, which was released April 24, 2026, Zimbabwe is now ranked 90th out of 136 countries assessed on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2025.
· This marks a significant improvement from previous years, when Zimbabwe ranked much lower among hunger-affected nations.
· The GHI measures undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting and child mortality. Moving to position 90 places Zimbabwe in the moderate hunger category, a major step up from previous “serious” or “alarming” classifications.
2. Removal from Hunger Hotspot Countries
Cabinet confirms that Zimbabwe was removed from the list of hunger hotspot countries in 2024.
· Hunger hotspots are nations at risk of acute food insecurity due to conflict, economic shocks or climate extremes.
· Removal signifies that Zimbabwe’s food situation has stabilised and no longer triggers emergency-level alerts from international food security bodies.
3. Significance of These Achievements
· Positive food security outlook: The Second Round Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report projects a strategic grain surplus of between 550 945 and 964 945 tonnes — a shift from deficit to surplus in maize and wheat.
· Improved Government stocks: As of May 20, 2026, GMB held 152 467 tonnes of strategic grain reserves.
· Higher farmer deliveries: Summer crop marketing reached 82 559 tonnes by April 1, 2026, up from 57 755 tonnes at the same time in 2025 — a 43 percent increase.
· Better payments: GMB cleared 100 percent of outstanding USD obligations and 82,7 percent of ZiG payments to farmers as of May 20, 2026.
· Efficient grain management: AI-powered silos and the Warehouse Receipt System allow commercial storage services, with third-party grain stocks at 68 979 tonnes.
4. Vindication of Agrarian Reforms and Second Republic Investments
All these successes can be attributed to strategic interventions under the Second Republic, including:
· Climate-smart agricultural programmes – notably Pfumvudza/Intwasa (conservation agriculture).
· Accelerated mechanisation – improving productivity and reducing post-harvest losses.
· Irrigation development (2017–2025 insights) – expanding command agriculture and weather-proofing production.
These achievements vindicate Zimbabwe’s land reform and post-reform investment strategy. Critically, the Second Republic’s targeted investments in mechanisation, irrigation and climate-resilient farming have:
· Turned staple crop deficits into consistent surpluses.
· Lifted Zimbabwe off hunger hotspot lists.
· Earned improved international food security rankings.
CONCLUSION: Overall, Zimbabwe’s improved GHI ranking, removal from hunger hotspots, and projected grain surplus are concrete evidence that the Second Republic’s agrarian reforms and agricultural investments are delivering national food security.
