Agriculture Growth Under NDS1 Sets Stage for Ambitious NDS2 Targets

Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector recorded strong growth under NDS1, boosting tobacco, maize and wheat production and setting the stage for ambitious NDS2 targets under Vision 2030 (image source)

HARARE — Zimbabwe’s recently concluded National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) has been credited with driving strong growth in the agricultural sector, laying a solid foundation for more ambitious production and value-addition targets under NDS2 as the country advances towards Vision 2030.

Government officials say gains achieved during the NDS1 period have positioned agriculture as a central pillar of economic recovery, food security and export growth. The sector now contributes an estimated 33 percent to national gross domestic product, while also supporting livelihoods and strengthening foreign-currency inflows.

Tobacco has emerged as a key driver of agricultural expansion and a major foreign-currency earner. Production rose from 175 million kilogrammes in 2020 to a record 355 million kilogrammes delivered during the 2025 marketing season. Authorities attribute the growth to policy reforms, contract farming, improved inputs and the tobacco value-chain transformation programme. Under NDS2, Government aims to raise output to 500 million kilogrammes and grow the tobacco industry into a US$5 billion sector by 2030, subject to favourable climatic conditions.

Maize production has also shown notable improvement, with crops reported to be performing well across most farming regions following good seasonal rains. Officials say the outlook points to another strong harvest that will reinforce national food and nutrition security. The improved performance has been linked to better input availability, targeted extension services and expanded irrigation in selected districts.

Wheat production has recorded one of the most dramatic turnarounds, following years of decline. Driven largely by the mechanisation programme launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the deployment of tractors and combine harvesters has significantly lifted productivity. Official figures indicate a 600 percent increase in wheat output this year, with production surpassing 655,000 tonnes. The Government has now set a target of 1.5 million tonnes by 2030.

Policymakers say the combined gains across tobacco, maize and wheat demonstrate the multiplier effect of coordinated interventions spanning mechanisation, input support, irrigation development, market reforms and value-chain investments. “NDS1 laid the groundwork, and NDS2 will focus on scaling up industrialisation, value addition and market diversification to ensure agriculture drives inclusive and sustainable growth,” a senior official in the Ministry of Agriculture said.

Analysts have welcomed the progress but warned that sustaining momentum will require continued investment in irrigation infrastructure, rural roads, storage and agro-processing facilities. Climate resilience has also been flagged as a priority, with calls for expanded early-warning systems and wider adoption of climate-smart farming practices.

Private-sector players have urged Government to accelerate value-addition initiatives to retain more value from tobacco and grain locally, while development partners have stressed the importance of policy consistency to attract long-term investment. As Zimbabwe transitions from NDS1 to NDS2, officials say agriculture will remain central to the national development agenda — anchoring food self-sufficiency, export growth and job creation on the road to Vision 2030.