The Government has been praised for ensuring a reliable power supply for wheat farmers, significantly boosting irrigation and wheat production. Under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) has committed to providing a steady 100 megawatts (MW) of power to wheat farmers this season. This initiative has been well received by the farming community, leading to a 34% increase in wheat cultivation compared to the previous season, with over 121,769 hectares now under irrigation.
According to a weekly update on Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development, most of the early planted wheat is now at the vegetative stage, while the late planted crop is germinating and in good condition. This year, a total of 121,000 hectares have been planted under winter wheat, expected to produce over 600,000 tonnes of the cereal, surpassing last year’s 468,000 tonnes, the highest ever recorded since wheat growing started in 1966.
Zimbabwe’s increased wheat production, now exceeding 360,000 tonnes, opens opportunities for expanded product development and innovation in the food industry, particularly in traditional products like bread, baking flour, and pasta. This success is attributed to the government’s efforts, under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, to prioritize food security and support agricultural growth.
In addition to wheat, 6,449 hectares are under barley, primarily for malting and brewing. Zimbabwe has experienced improvements in agricultural productivity under the current administration, with maize production increasing significantly since 2017, reaching a record high of 2.2 million tonnes and continuing upward to 2.7 million tonnes in 2021, before an El Niño-induced drought impacted production.
Tobacco farmers have also contributed significantly, bringing much-needed foreign currency into the country. In 2022, Zimbabwe realized US$650.3 million from tobacco sales, as reported by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), due to the government’s timely supply of adequate agricultural inputs.
The implementation of irrigation schemes throughout the country has enabled smallholder farmers to produce enough grain for consumption. Despite some challenges, these farmers have shown resilience, producing surplus grain for the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and reinvesting in their farming businesses.
Ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to wheat farmers is a strategic move by the Government, helping the country to harvest enough wheat to feed the nation. Reducing the need to import grain saves foreign currency, which can be allocated to other sectors of the economy.
To further incentivize farmers, the Government has significantly increased the producer price for strategic grains and shifted to paying them exclusively in US dollars upon delivery to GMB.
President Mnangagwa has shown a strong commitment to development across various sectors, including agriculture and infrastructure. The government has implemented initiatives to enhance food production and improve the country’s infrastructure, driving progress and growth in Zimbabwe.
Recent infrastructure developments include the reconstruction of major roads such as the Beitbridge-Harare Highway, the construction of new dams like Gwayi-Shangani, and the expansion of student housing at universities such as the University of Zimbabwe and the National University of Science and Technology.
