President Mnangagwa has announced that financial institutions and private sector stakeholders are set to support farmers through the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme.
This move is expected to significantly bolster Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, which is projected to yield a record-breaking 600,000 tonnes of wheat, alongside a promising 2024/25 summer cropping season. The President emphasized the crucial role farmers play in feeding the nation and driving Zimbabwe’s self-reliance in agriculture.
The alignment of financial institutions and private stakeholders with the government’s agricultural policies marks a significant shift from the past, where these sectors distanced themselves due to the pre-Land Reform Programme era. This new era of cooperation is seen as critical for boosting agricultural growth and development in Zimbabwe. By working together, financial institutions can now provide direct financing to all actors in the agriculture sector, including farmers, input suppliers, processors, traders, and exporters. This alignment with government policies is expected to promote economic growth, create jobs, foster innovation, and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Furthermore, the partnership will help reorient sectoral regulation, including tax policies and market mechanisms, to support sustainable agricultural practices.
The projected record wheat harvest of 600,000 tonnes from the 2024 winter crop, according to President Mnangagwa, is the result of the nation’s unity of purpose and the implementation of effective policy frameworks. His recognition of farmers’ contributions underscores the government’s commitment to promoting agricultural growth.
Optimism remains high for the 2024–2025 summer cropping season, with expectations of normal to above-normal rainfall across most provinces. The target cereal hectarage for the season includes 1.8 million hectares for maize, 418,000 hectares for sorghum, 275,000 hectares for pearl millet, and 27,000 hectares for finger millet, totaling 2,520,000 hectares of cereals.
The distribution of inputs under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Presidential Climate-Proofed Agriculture Production Scheme is progressing smoothly. Farmers have been encouraged to prepare at least three Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots to qualify for the ongoing input distribution. Additionally, the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has been tasked with producing 500,000 tonnes of cereals for the Strategic Grain Reserve. ARDA’s efforts were recently recognized when it won the prestigious 2024 Africa Food Prize, highlighting the success of Zimbabwe’s transformative agricultural policies.
Water harvesting remains a critical component of climate change mitigation and adaptation, complementing rain-fed production systems. In this regard, the full utilization of small dams and weirs, as well as efficient conveyancing around larger dams, continues to be a top priority for the Second Republic. The Rural Infrastructure Development Agency has also intensified support to communities by scaling up tillage activities as the summer farming season approaches.
In addition to water provision, the government has launched a program to enhance hay-baling and transportation to dry regions, reaching areas in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Masvingo, and Midlands Provinces. As part of these efforts, approximately 500 boreholes were drilled between August and September 2024, providing crucial water points for livestock in drought-prone areas.
