Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare
Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT and industry leaders have called for increased investment in local farmers, millers and processors as Zimbabwe strengthens efforts to substitute food imports with home-grown production.
The call comes as the country moves to implement Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, which requires millers and processors to progressively increase local grain and oilseed sourcing — starting at 40 percent in April 2026 and rising to 100 percent by April 2028.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said the policy shift is anchored on the country’s strong harvests.
Zimbabwe produced 2,9 million tonnes of cereals in 2025, against a national requirement of 2,2 million tonnes, including a record 634 000 tonnes of traditional grains.
“The future of Zimbabwe’s industry lies in working hand-in-hand with agriculture,” said Dr Masuka.
“Farmers have delivered; now industry must respond by investing in them. This is the backbone of import substitution and national development
To ease sourcing, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has been tasked with assisting processors in accessing grain from its 1 804 depots nationwide.
Zimbabwe Farmers union (ZFU) secretary-general Paul Zakariya said the import restrictions will only succeed if millers and processors actively invest in the farming sector.
“Farmers need buyers who reward their effort. Prioritising local production secures livelihoods and keeps resources within the country. The SI gives industry a responsibility to look inward and support our own farmers,” he said.
Mr Zakariya added that with land title deeds now accepted by banks, farmers have leverage to expand production, while favourable rainfall forecasts point to another strong season.
Commercial Farmers union (CFU) president Dr Shadreck Makombe said linking processors and producers will boost food security and open export opportunities.
“This SI is not just about import substitution. It is a platform to build capacity for regional markets. We must strengthen value chains from the farm to the mill,” he said.
Industry leaders agreed. Buy Zimbabwe executive chairperson Munyaradzi Hwengwere said millers should scale up local sourcing as a deliberate strategy to support productivity.
“With over 2.9 million tonnes already harvested, including record traditional grains, Zimbabwe has proven capacity. Now is the time for processors to invest locally and build resilience,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Mayiwepi Jiti, president of the Zimbabwe Integrated Commercial Farmers union (ZICFU), said scaling up production to meet the SI requirements will require targeted support, including government-backed finance, improved irrigation and road infrastructure, high-yield seed varieties, crop diversification, extension services and farmer training aligned with current agricultural technologies.
Mrs Jiti also stressed the importance of the “production parity price” mechanism to guarantee fair returns for farmers and advocated for mandatory membership in farmers’ organisations to strengthen lobbying and market access.
She cautioned, however, that restricting imports carries risks, including potential market dominance by a few contractors, supply chain disruptions and increased competition.
She urged the Government to promote competition, monitor market trends and support farmer cooperatives to mitigate these risks.
