Zimbabwe's Ambitious Winter Cropping Plan: A Nation's Path to Self-Reliance

Productivity May 18, 2025

Zimbabwe is all set to embark on an ambitious journey towards agricultural self-sufficiency, capitalizing on the winter cropping season. With 141,000 hectares of land ready for planting, the country’s renewed focus is not just on expanding the planted area, but significantly maximizing the yield per unit area.

Strategic Vision for Enhanced Productivity

In an emphatic move to bolster food security and lessen its dependency on imports, Zimbabwe’s government has set a strategic target to cultivate 120,000 hectares of wheat, accompanied by 6,500 hectares of barley and 8,750 hectares of potatoes. “Our thrust is maximizing yields per unit area instead of just expanding the area planted,” said Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, emphasizing a focus on efficiency rather than sheer scale.

Empowering Smallholder Farmers

One of the standout features of this initiative is the prioritization of smallholder farmers, with 7,500 hectares specifically allocated for them. Rehabilitation efforts include enhancing irrigation efficiencies, ensuring water supply, improving mechanization, and providing essential inputs and pest control measures. According to Professor Jiri, these enhancements are crucial for realizing the productivity potential of smallholders who are the backbone of the agricultural sector.

Leveraging Technology and Resources

To support this grand endeavor, Zimbabwe has rallied resources, making 15,381 tractors available for land preparation, and mobilizing 343 combine harvesters for efficient harvesting operations. Moreover, the Government is negotiating with stakeholders to secure 150 megawatts of electricity for uninterrupted irrigation, demonstrating a comprehensive effort to optimize resource usage, as stated in Bulawayo24 News.

Comprehensive Support Ecosystem

To mitigate risks and ensure crop protection, the Government has procured 10,000 litres of fenthion to combat migratory pests and has mandated insurance coverage for all wheat farmers. Alongside, disbursements from previous seasons, amounting to a total of ZiG64.9 million and US$5.1 million, are in process, ensuring financial stability and confidence for the farmers.

Capacity building remains a cornerstone of the Government’s approach. Over 22,000 farmers and 460 irrigation schemes have benefitted from training programs. Weekly agronomic tips act as an ongoing educational resource, enabling farmers and extension officers to adopt best practices and innovative techniques in wheat production.

Addressing Concerns and Building Confidence

While governmental preparations have been robust, challenges such as delays in payment disbursements persist. Authorities have acknowledged these issues and are implementing measures to enhance efficiency, aiming to build a seamless operational infrastructure.

Zimbabwe’s strategic focus on maximizing efficiency during the winter season marks a pivotal step towards attaining agricultural independence. With favorable conditions, improved practices, and insightful interventions, the nation stands on the cusp of achieving a successful winter wheat season in 2025.

This comprehensive strategy represents not only an economic endeavor but a testament to Zimbabwe’s resilience and determination in securing a stable agricultural future.