Online Reporter
The agriculture sector has undergone remarkable transformation under the Second Republic, emerging as one of the top-performing pillars of the economy and a key driver of Zimbabwe’s economic recovery. Our reporter THESEUS SHAMBARE sat down with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development PROFESSOR OBERT JIRI to discuss the sector’s progress, milestones achieved and growth prospects that lie ahead.
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Q: Can you outline how the agriculture sector performed during the winter cropping season?
A: Zimbabwe is approaching a historic agricultural milestone as the 2025 winter wheat season powers ahead with unprecedented momentum. With over 120 000 hectares (ha) planted, well above the national target, the country is confidently eyeing a record-breaking harvest of 600 000 tonnes.
This achievement would not only surpass last year’s impressive 562 591 tonnes but also cement Zimbabwe’s position above the 360 000 tonnes self-sufficiency threshold.
Through its strategic contract farming model, Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) has mobilised over 60 000 hectares of wheat, expected to yield more than 300 000 tonnes.
Key players such as CBZ Agro-Yield, AFC Land Bank and the Presidential Scheme have rallied behind the national effort, providing critical input support and financing.
Farmers have responded with enthusiasm, leveraging irrigation infrastructure and agronomic best practices to maximise yields.
ZETDC (Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company) and Zinwa (Zimbabwe National Water Authority) are prioritising electricity and water supply, respectively.
Q: As preparations for the summer cropping season gain momentum, can you give us a breakdown of the sector’s level of preparedness?
A: Zimbabwe’s 2025/2026 summer plan is firmly anchored in the national commitment to “build forward better” by producing sufficient cereals to ensure food security and replenish the strategic grain reserve.
The plan prioritises increasing the resilience of agricultural value chains and communities to withstand future climate shocks.
Key to this effort is enhanced agro-ecological tailoring of crops to suit diverse farming zones, alongside climate-proofing initiatives both at the household level through the Pfumvudza/Intwasa conservation farming programme and at the national level, with a significant expansion of irrigated land.
The plan ambitiously aims to increase cereal production by over 33 percent above national food requirements, well exceeding the policy target of 10 percent.
Building on the 2024/2025 production of nearly 2,93 million tonnes, the 2025/2026 target is set at over 3,27 million tonnes, a 11,2 percent increase.
The Climate-Proofed Presidential Inputs Programme will support approximately three million beneficiaries, providing essential inputs for cereals, oilseeds and legumes.
Since 2023, Arda has been designated as the nation’s food security agent, with an annual target to produce 500 000 tonnes of summer cereals from 100 000 hectares and 300 000 tonnes of winter cereals from 60 000 hectares of irrigable land.
This coordinated and strategic approach positions Zimbabwe to strengthen its food sovereignty and climate resilience throughout the 2025/2026 season.
Q: The agriculture sector has recorded phenomenal growth with the advent of the Second Republic. Can you outline some of the major successes the sector has recorded in recent years?
A: Since the coming in of the Second Republic in 2017, Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector has undergone a remarkable transformation in food production and rural development. Guided by bold policies and strategic investments, the sector has consistently surpassed its targets, most notably exceeding the initial US$8 billion agricultural economy goal ahead of schedule, prompting an upward revision to US$13,75 billion.
Wheat production has been a standout success, with Zimbabwe now ranked among the top eight producers in Africa that are self-sufficient in wheat.
The country is poised to harvest over 600 000 tonnes of wheat in 2025, far above the national requirement of 360 000 tonnes.
Tobacco production has also flourished.
The growth of the sector has been guided by the Government’s Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (2021-2025).
In 2025, farmers delivered a record 349 million kg, up from 228 million kg the previous year. On the other hand, horticulture exports have surged, with blueberry exports increasing by 85 percent in 2023, securing Zimbabwe a spot among the top 15 global exporters.
Mechanisation has also expanded dramatically, with the national tractor fleet growing from 8 000 to 15 000 units and irrigable land increasing from 175 000ha to 217 000ha, with an additional 30 000ha under development.
These gains have been achieved through the liberalisation of markets and strong public-private partnerships.
Central to this progress is the Agriculture Recovery and Growth Plan launched in 2020, which has reversed negative trends and positioned Zimbabwe as a future net exporter of food.
Q: The Government has begun issuing title deeds to farmers under a programme geared to make titles bankable and transferable. Can you outline what the programme seeks to achieve?
A: Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector is set to benefit from the Government’s new land tenure policy, which requires all landowners to digitise and securitise their deeds.
For farmers, this is a golden opportunity to secure bankable title deeds that not only prove ownership but also unlock access to credit, investment and legal protection.
Farmers can confidently approach banks and other financial institutions to fund irrigation systems, purchase equipment or expand operations. This reform is a game-changer for both smallholder and commercial farmers.
It strengthens land tenure, reduces disputes and boosts investor confidence in Zimbabwe’s agricultural landscape.
A bankable title deed is a necessity for growth, resilience and prosperity in farming.
Q: The Government is also in the process of setting up business units countrywide. What exactly does this initiative seek to achieve?
A: The Ministry of Agriculture is spearheading a transformative initiative through the establishment of business units designed to empower rural communities and stimulate local economies.
These units serve as hubs for agricultural production, processing and marketing, enabling farmers to access inputs, training and markets more efficiently.
By decentralising agribusiness operations and fostering entrepreneurship at the village level, village business units not only enhance food security but also create sustainable livelihoods and driving inclusive economic growth across the country.
The total number of completed business units stands at 820, broken down as follows: village business units — 679; school business units — 100; chief business units — 32; youth business units — 4; vocational training centre business units — 10.
Q: Irrigation development has been at the centre of the Government’s plan to boost production and productivity. What are some of the projects that are in the pipeline in that respect?
A: Zimbabwe is investing in dam construction and irrigation infrastructure to unlock the full potential of its agriculture sector.
With climate change threatening rainfall patterns and food security, the Government’s strategy is clear: build water resilience, expand irrigation and empower farmers.
Flagship projects like Gwayi-Shangani Dam in Matabeleland North province and the Kunzvi Dam are central to this transformation.
Kunzvi Dam, in particular, is set to supply water to the capital while supporting irrigation schemes in Mashonaland East province, turning dry lands into productive farming zones.
These dams are more than reservoirs; they are engines of rural development.
The Government aims to increase irrigated land from 200 000 hectares to 350 000 hectares by 2025, enabling year-round cultivation of high-value crops like wheat, horticulture and sugarcane.
The target area to be developed by 2030 is 496 000ha.
Smallholder farmers are being integrated into irrigation schemes through public-private partnerships, while commercial farms are scaling up operations with improved water access.
Q: Rural development has also been a recurring theme in President Mnangagwa’s vision. Can you explain what this particular programme seeks to achieve?
A: The rural development initiative also stands out as a transformative catalyst aimed at revitalising Zimbabwe’s rural economy.
Anchored in agricultural modernisation, industrialisation and infrastructure enhancement, this comprehensive programme is designed to uplift rural livelihoods through improved food security, nutrition and income generation.
The initiative seeks to catalyse inclusive growth and ensure that no community is left behind in the journey towards achieving an empowered upper middle-income society by 2030, through integrating targeted schemes such as the Presidential Climate-Proofed Input Scheme, Presidential Cotton Scheme, Presidential Rural Development Programme, Presidential Household Tick Management Scheme, Vision 2030 Accelerator Model, Presidential Goat Scheme, Presidential Poultry Scheme and Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme.
Q: What are the growth prospects for the sector going forward?
A: The agriculture sector continues to demonstrate robust growth, fuelled by strategic investments, technological innovation and supportive Government policies.
The Irrigation Development Alliance, a private-public sector alliance formed by the Government in 2021 to accelerate irrigation development, targets to develop 100 000ha in the next three years, contributing substantially to the 496 000ha target by 2030.
Of this target, 350 000ha are planned for summer irrigation to produce 1,8 million tonnes of cereals, with a further potential of 1,8 million tonnes wheat in winter to climate-proof food security. This growth is not only enhancing food security but also positioning agriculture as a key contributor to national GDP (gross domestic product) and rural development.
Since 2017, the horticulture sector has experienced a remarkable resurgence, evolving from a low-performing industry into a dynamic growth engine.
After peaking at US$140 million in 1999 and subsequently declining to a low of US$20 million, the sector has now rebounded strongly, achieving over US$120 million in annual exports, as of 2023. Livestock production has also emerged as a dynamic pillar of the agricultural economy, offering both nutritional and economic benefits. With rising demand for meat, dairy and poultry products, farmers are increasingly investing in improved breeds, veterinary services and feed technologies.
The Presidential Community Fisheries Plan launched under Rural Development 8.0 and private sector investments have begun to bear fruit.
National fish production increased from 22 700 tonnes in 2022 to 27 100 tonnes in 2024.
The sector is witnessing a shift towards commercial livestock farming, supported by training programmes, disease control initiatives and market access strategies.
Livestock production plays a vital role in integrated farming systems, contributing to soil fertility, food security and climate resilience.
Crop and livestock development is driving a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural transformation.
