Online Reporter
Herald Reporters
CABINET has approved the 2026-2027 summer crops, horticulture, fisheries and livestock production plan as authorities move to safeguard national food security amid escalating climate shocks and rising production costs.
Speaking at yesterday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said Cabinet adopted the plan presented by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga in his capacity as chair of the Cabinet Committee on Food Security and Nutrition.
The programme, Dr Soda said, sought to ensure sustained food availability despite what Cabinet described as “unprecedented compound pressures”, including an 80 percent probability of a Super El Niño-induced drought.
“The 2026-2027 Summer Production Plan seeks to guarantee national food security against the backdrop of unprecedented compound pressures including the 80 percent probability of a Super El Nino-induced drought and heightened fuel and fertiliser prices,” said Dr Soda.
Cabinet, he said, approved a range of interventions designed to strengthen strategic grain reserves, improve climate resilience and enhance overall agricultural productivity.
Key among the measures is the enhancement of the Strategic Grain Reserve system through improved procurement, storage and distribution mechanisms.
This includes the deployment of artificial intelligence-powered silo management systems to optimise grain handling and stock monitoring.
Cabinet also resolved to accelerate climate-smart agriculture initiatives, with a focus on expanding irrigation infrastructure, strengthening agro-ecological planning, and improving targeting under the Presidential Inputs Programme.
“The plan includes the use of the new Artificial Intelligence powered-silos for enhanced Strategic Grain Reserve through strategic purchases,” he said.
Government will also strengthen early warning and advisory systems to improve preparedness and response to climate-related shocks, while expanding farmer education and extension services to boost productivity at the grassroots level.
In addition, the Sable Chemicals ammonium plant project will be expedited to improve fertiliser availability, while the Africa Risk Capacity sovereign insurance facility will be activated to cushion the country against drought-related losses.
Cabinet further approved measures to facilitate the duty-free importation of fertiliser to ensure timely availability and affordability ahead of the planting season.
Dr Soda said the plan reflected Government’s commitment to building a resilient agricultural sector capable of withstanding climate variability and sustaining national food security.
The approval comes as meteorological forecasts continue to warn of heightened drought risk in the coming season, prompting Government to intensify preparedness and mitigation measures across all agricultural sub-sectors.
The food plan comes as Cabinet noted and approved an update on the 2025/2026 Summer Crops Marketing and 2026 Winter Production Plan, presented by Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka.
Minister Soda said based on the Second Round of Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report, the country is expecting a surplus strategic grain reserve ranging between 550 945 tonnes and 964 945 tonnes.
Government stocks held at the Grain Marketing Board as at June 3 stand at 156 603 tonnes.
“Additionally, GMB also holds a total of 70 865.60 tonnes, being third-party grain stocks since the completion of the AI-powered silos and subsequent offer of commercial storage services directly or through the Warehouse Receipt System.
“A total of 1 928 505 hectares under maize has been harvested to date, with a volume of 2 824 110 tonnes. A total of 528 076 hectares of sorghum has been harvested to date, yielding 323 002 tonnes,” he said.
Minister Soda added that 56 562 hectares under soyabean has been harvested, giving 119 067 tonnes.
As of June 3, 127 214 tonnes of crops comprising maize, soyabean, sorghum and sunflower had been formally marketed, compared to the 78 265 tonnes marketed at the same time last year.
Minister Soda said there is a 63 percent increase in the marketed crops.
As of May 20, GMB had settled 100 percent of its US dollar obligations and 82,73 percent of ZiG payments, with ZiG50 192 313.52 outstanding. “Transporters are still owed ZiG192 000 000.00 from 2025,” said Minister Soda.
Turning to tobacco, he revealed that 309,795 million kg have been sold to date, at an average price of US$2,51 per kg.
“This reflects a 14 percent increase in volume and a 25 percent decrease in the average price, compared to the previous seasons.
“Tobacco production has been on an upward trend since 2010. However, the average price has fluctuated over the years. Tobacco exports remain firm, with cumulative tobacco exports as at 4th June, 2026 reaching 102,50 million kg valued at US$642,61 million at an average price of US$6,27 per kg,” he said.
Sesame buying has also started, with merchants offering producer prices ranging from US$0,60 per kg to US$1 per kg.
To date, 17 buyers have been registered.
The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) has confiscated 13 000kg in Chiredzi and Mbire in an operation intended to discourage smuggling of the crop.
Minister Soda said the Zimbabwe-China Protocol for Sesame is being pursued so that Harare can directly export the high value crop to China. Regarding wheat production, the targeted hectarage is 125 000 hectares, out of which 113 503 hectares has been planted to date, translating to 91 percent of the targeted area.
Barley production remains focused on supplying the brewing industry, and 7 000 hectares has been contracted.
Minister Soda also said 243 850 tonnes of Irish potato production is expected from the 9 000 hectares planted.
To date 92 400 tonnes has been produced from 3 300 hectares, at an average yield of 28 tonnes per hectare, compared to the 26 tonnes realised last year.
