Online Reporter
Zimbabwe is now enjoying the benefits of investing in its agriculture sector, as evidenced by the country saving about US$200 million in maize imports alone between last year and January this year.
According to data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), the country spent US$603 million on maize imports in 2024, compared to US$443 million in 2025 representing 26 percent drop. In January this year, maize imports dropped by 59 percent compared to the same month last year.
The boost in maize and other grain production is attributed to efforts of the El Nino Drought Action Committee (DAC), which was established in response to the 2023/24 El Nino-induced drought.
The committee is made up of representatives from ministries, academics, the private sector and development partners, and its mandate is to come up with strategies to boost grain production. More than 300 000 families were allocated land under the country’s land reform programme, some in prime farming areas that used to be a preserve of white commercial farmers.
Many of these families have been very productive, hence the bumper harvests being recorded across the country. Livestock farmers have also been doing very well to grow the national herd.
The farmers have demonstrated that Zimbabwe has the potential to reclaim its status of as Southern Africa’s food basket. They have also shamed doomsayers who have been criticising the country’s land reform programme.
We have said before that individuals who got land for speculative purposes have no business being on the land because this is a finite resource which should be left to only those who are committed to fully utilising it.
Government, on its part, has been supporting farmers through farm mechanisation, modernisation and provision of reliable energy supplies to ensure maximum production. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has hailed the transformation of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, which it says has positively impacted on the people’s livelihoods.
Zimbabwe, according to FAO, has achieved a lot in its initiatives to transform the agriculture sector as it strives to regain its status as the region’s food basket.
Government through the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, is establishing rural industries that process farmers’ produce. This is expected to create thousands of jobs as a result of value addition and beneficiation, which will directly benefit farmers as they will earn more from their produce.
The agricultural sector has already hit the initial 2025 target of US$8,2 billion a year as a result of huge financial investments made by the Government. It is, therefore, very encouraging when big international organisations such as FAO recognise Government efforts.
