Zimbabwe’s Agricultural Boom: Farmers Drive Economic Growth Towards Vision 2030

A thriving Zimbabwean Farm (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

Reporter

Zimbabwe has emerged as an inspiration of agricultural success on the African continent, showcasing impressive achievements. This follows the Government’s deliberate efforts to prioritise and support agriculture.

The Government has initiated several policies that support agriculture, notably the Agriculture Recovery and Growth Plan, introduced in 2020. This strategic plan has played a crucial role in reversing negative trends in the sector. It has not only boosted production but also transformed the livelihoods of many farmers across the nation.

Since the advent of the Second Republic, Zimbabwe has consistently surpassed its agricultural targets. Most notably, the country exceeded the initial US$8 billion agricultural target well ahead of schedule. This remarkable feat prompted a revision of the target to an ambitious US$13.75 billion for the current year, reflecting robust agricultural growth.

One of the standout successes has been in wheat production, where Zimbabwe has achieved record outputs, positioning itself among the top eight wheat-producing countries in Africa. Importantly, Zimbabwe is one of only two countries on the continent, alongside Ethiopia, that are self-sufficient in wheat production. This year, the nation is poised to produce over 600,000 tonnes of wheat, far exceeding the annual requirement of 360,000 tonnes for staple products like bread and pasta.

Moreover, Zimbabwe has solidified its status as Africa’s largest tobacco producer and ranks sixth globally, trailing only China, India, Brazil, the United States, and Indonesia. In the 2023 tobacco growing season, the country earned US$1.23 billion from tobacco exports, producing a record 297 million kilograms of the crop, up from 234 million kilograms the previous season. The 2025 target has been raised to 320 million kilograms, surpassing the annual goal of 300 million kilograms and showcasing the sector’s ongoing potential.

Government has also focused on supporting local farmers through various initiatives, ensuring increased private sector participation. This achievement underscores Zimbabwe’s pivotal role in the global tobacco market, especially as Brazil, China, and India account for over 55 percent of global production without expanding their hectarage.

In addition to tobacco, Zimbabwe has made significant strides in blueberry exports, which soared by 85 percent in 2023, surpassing 5,000 tonnes. This growth has secured Zimbabwe’s place among the top 15 global exporters of blueberries, highlighting the sector’s revival and its wide-ranging economic impacts.

These continuous improvements point to a bright future for Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector. The Government’s commitment to food security is clear as it aims to become a net exporter of agricultural goods, including wheat, tobacco, and a variety of horticultural products.

As part of its long-term vision, Government plans to construct 15 high-impact dams by 2027, aligned with its goal to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030. This initiative is pivotal for accelerating rural industrialisation and enhancing productivity, aiming to irrigate at least 350,000 hectares to meet growing crop demands.

A substantial $1.1 billion has been allocated for dam construction, which is progressing well. The project also includes the installation of 35,000 boreholes in villages, significantly improving access to clean water for both agriculture and rural communities.

In livestock production, Government has set an ambitious target of US$3.4 billion for 2025, aiming to improve productivity and combat cattle mortality, particularly following outbreaks of tick-borne diseases that have affected nearly 500,000 cattle since 2016. The Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan (2021–2026) guides these ongoing efforts to bolster the sector.

Tobacco Farmers Union Trust Vice President, Mr Edward Dune, said Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector is entering a new dawn.

“Our farmers have now acquired the knowledge and skills required to use the land productively and restore Zimbabwe to its former glory in the SADC region.”

He highlighted the Government’s support for farmers, especially those resettled under the Land Reform Programme, ensuring every ward has two extension officers to provide essential agricultural training.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president, Dr Shadreck Makombe, said last season’s successes demonstrate a promising future.

“Last season was a great season because everything was in order. Farmers planted on time after getting inputs on time again. Prices of inputs were lowered to an extent that the majority could afford to buy. The season was good, and we hope to have better seasons in the future.”

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary, Professor Obert Jiri, affirmed the Government’s commitment to agriculture.

“Since we started to operationalize the Agriculture Recovery Growth Plan, we managed to score 2.7 million tonnes of maize during the 2020–2021 season. We also recorded 375,000 tonnes of wheat in 2022 and scaled up to over 500,000 tonnes last season, so we are flour self-sufficient.”

Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is experiencing a transformative period marked by strategic initiatives and significant achievements driven by the Second Republic. With a focus on productivity, food security, and rural development, the country is well on its way to realising its Vision 2030 goals, restoring its status as a leading agricultural powerhouse in the region and beyond.