In 2024, the Zimbabwean government declared a national state of disaster following widespread crop failures and famine. Addressing the country’s first post-cabinet press briefing of 2025, Dr. Anxious Jongwe Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, assured the nation that the Grain Marketing Board had sufficient reserves to support rural communities until the next harvest in April 2025.
“The private sector has played a key role in maintaining grain supply, importing a total of 1.35 million tons between April 2024 and February 2025. This includes 1.13 million tons of maize, 220,092 tons of wheat, and 374 tons of wheat flour,” Masuka stated.
To further stabilize food security, the government issued maize import permits for up to five million tons. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s 2024/25 Summer Season Plan aims to boost grain production to 3.2 million tons—an ambitious increase from the 744,000 tons recorded in the previous season.
Cotton production has also seen significant growth, with the total planted area expanding to 203,875 hectares, marking a 40% rise from the 145,265 hectares planted last season.
“Tobacco farming continues to expand, with 127,000 growers registered for the 2024/25 season—a 10% increase from last year. Notably, 92% of these farmers are participating under contract farming arrangements. The total planted area for tobacco now stands at 132,851 hectares, reflecting a 16% rise from the previous season,” Masuka added.
With increased agricultural imports and production targets, Zimbabwe aims to strengthen its food security and economic resilience in the wake of recent challenges.
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