Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve
Victoria Falls Reporter
MILK output will increase by more than 60 percent and agricultural export earnings rise to US$1,6 billion by 2030 under a new five-year blueprint that pushes up agricultural production.
The Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2), covering 2026 to 2030, is positioned as a key component for attaining Vision 2030, which aims to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy.
Speaking at the International Dairy Federation regional dairy conference in Victoria Falls yesterday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Obert Jiri outlined a roadmap anchored on systems thinking, spatial targeting and whole-of-society collaboration.
At the centre of the strategy is the dairy sector, identified as a priority value chain with milk production projected to rise from 122 million litres in 2025 to 200 million litres by 2030.
Prof Jiri said while the dairy industry continues to face challenges such as high feed costs, cold chain limitations and animal health constraints, the Government has designed targeted interventions to unlock growth.
These include expanding on-farm feed production through growing suitable crops for fodder and silage, mechanisation, irrigation development, breed improvement through artificial insemination and increased local vaccine production.
He said a review of the Dairy Act is also underway to align the sector with current production realities and market demands.
“Agriculture transformation requires interaction across sectors. AFSRTS 2 adopts systems thinking, spatial targeting, value chain targeting, and whole-of-Government and whole-of-society collaboration,” said Prof Jiri.
The strategy covers 25 crop value chains and several livestock subsectors, with the gross value of agricultural production targeted to reach US$15,8 billion by 2030.
Agricultural exports are expected to rise significantly, driven by high-value horticultural crops such as citrus and blueberries.
Citrus production is projected to increase from 347 000 tonnes in 2025 to 482 000 tonnes by 2030, while blueberries are expected to rise from 11 000 tonnes to 19 000 tonnes over the same period.
The gross value of blueberry exports alone is projected to climb from US$48,4 million to US$74,1 million.
Officials say achieving these targets will require strong investment in cold chain systems, disease control and compliance with international standards such as GlobalG.A.P. to access premium export markets.
The beef sector has also been earmarked for expansion, with the national herd expected to grow from 5,6 million to 6,6 million cattle by 2030.
Beef production is projected to increase from 123 000 tonnes to 176 000 tonnes through interventions that include rehabilitation of dip tanks, artificial insemination services and establishment of ward drought mitigation centres.
Prof Jiri said the strategy is informed by rising domestic demand as Zimbabwe’s population is projected to increase from 15,9 million in 2025 to 17,2 million by 2030.
This population growth is expected to push maize consumption from 1,49 million tonnes to 1,59 million tonnes, while milk and beef demand will also rise sharply.
He said meeting future food demand requires a shift from expanding production area to increasing yields and productivity across all value chains.
“Collaboration is not supportive, it is foundational,” said Prof Jiri, stressing that success will depend on coordinated action between the Government, the private sector and farming communities.
