Online Reporter
Precious Manomano and Patience Maturure
THE Government and relevant stakeholders have committed to ensuring a successful summer cropping season, supported by forecasts of normal to above-normal rainfall and robust systems in place.
Speaking during the launch of the 2025-26 summer agricultural season in Harare yesterday, the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Vangelis Haritatos, emphasised that preparations for the season were on track.
He highlighted the importance of value addition and agro-industrialisation for the nation’s agricultural future.
“Farmers continue to receive inputs through the Presidential Input Programme. Our input support schemes, including mechanisation programmes for smallholders are becoming more structured, particularly through public-private partnerships aligned with our food system strategy focused on efficiency and productivity”.
Dep Min Haritatos noted that certain crops such as cotton had not been adequately value-added.
“The cotton value chain is still in its infancy. Historically, value addition transformed communities. We need to revive that transformation. Additionally, we must stop exporting raw tobacco and instead send it out in its finished form.”
The Deputy Minister also reported that irrigation rehabilitation has expanded to over 350 schemes and emphasised Government’s efforts to build resilience against climate shocks.
Collaborating with Treasury, the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) and private partners, Government is scaling up blended financing models to de-risk lending and promote value chain financing.
Moreover, AFC is working with agro-processors to introduce tailored insurance products designed to protect farmers from climate-related risks and losses, thereby enhancing food security.
“This ensures that every farmer, from small to commercial, can access the capital needed to adopt technologies and improve productivity,” Dep Min Haritatos said.
An official from the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), representing Director Mrs Rebecca Manzou, indicated that the country’s rainfall indicators suggest a tendency towards La Niña, forecasting potentially higher rainfall this season.
“December is expected to bring normal to above-normal rainfall across most areas, except for the northeastern part, which will experience normal rainfall.
“January and February are also anticipated to see normal to above-normal rainfall throughout the country,” he said.
Seed Co Group Africa head of agronomy, Mrs Wendy Madzura, emphasised the importance of providing farmers not just with the right seeds but also with effective economic practices.
“We are working on crop mapping to align our products with regional needs. Additionally, we focus on farmer-centric agronomy, delivering tailored information that directly addresses farmers’ requirements,” she said.
Mrs Madzura said an integrated crop management approach aimed at sustainability was crucial.
“We want to return to the basics to enhance productivity. Digital agronomy and precision farming are also crucial pillars of our strategy.”
CropLife Zimbabwe chairperson, Mrs Joylyne Mukandiwa, said sufficient agrochemicals have been secured for the season.
“There has been a strategic shift towards climate-smart agriculture. Farmers are adopting innovative practices, such as growing drought-tolerant crops, including finger millet, sorghum and sweet potatoes.
“Demand for agrochemicals is rising due to climate change, increased pest pressures and heightened disease risks.
“We are experiencing accelerated crop growth due to unprecedented rainfall, leading to stressed crops that require immediate attention,” she said.
NMB head of business banking, Mr Erasmus Bhunu, said they had partnered with horticultural farmers, and about US$15 million has been availed ready to support farmers this year.
Farmers have been contracted under various schemes this year, including the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme, ARDAS, and the Food Crop Contractors Association.
