Govt optimistic about food self-sufficiency

LIVINGSTONE MARUFU

Government is optimistic about achieving food self-sufficiency this year, driven by an increase in the hectarage under food crops and favorable crop conditions, thanks to a good rainfall season.

This optimism comes as the country recovers from a devastating El Niño-induced drought last summer. According to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development’s First Round of Crops, Livestock, and Fisheries Assessment (CLAFA-1) report, conducted by agriculture business advisers (ABAs) across 1,600 wards nationwide, the country is on track for a decent harvest.

“The area planted to maize increased to 1,822,904 hectares in the 2024/2025 season, up from 1,728,897 hectares in the 2023/2024 season—a 5.4% increase, slightly exceeding the target of 1.8 million hectares,” the report states.
“The area planted to traditional grains grew by 7% to 434,374 hectares, up from 405,116 hectares last year, surpassing the target by 4%.”

Agricultural experts have welcomed this development, highlighting its significance for food security in Zimbabwe, where maize and traditional grains are staple foods.

Boost for the Economy

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Dr. Shadreck Makombe, told Business Times that a strong harvest will ease pressure on government resources and benefit the broader economy.

“A good harvest is a welcome relief, as it reduces the need for food and stock feed imports. This will free up funds for other critical agricultural development programs that require capital investment,” Dr. Makombe said.

He urged farmers to take advantage of the current rains to harvest and store water for future use.

The report also noted that improved rainfall in late December 2024 and January 2025 contributed to the fair to good condition of maize crops at the time of assessment.

However, while cereal crops are performing well, the horticulture sector has struggled due to lingering effects of the El Niño-induced drought, which limited irrigation water availability.

The report shows that tea production declined due to low producer prices and high input costs, while there were increases in the area planted to blueberries, oranges, and coffee.

“The total area planted under horticulture marginally increased from 11,952 hectares in the 2023/2024 season to 11,957 hectares in the 2024/2025 season,” the report states.

Despite last year’s drought, the livestock sector has remained resilient, with modest growth in the national beef cattle herd and a notable expansion in the dairy herd, leading to increased milk production.

• The beef cattle herd grew by 0.4%, from 5,718,523 in 2023 to 5,741,397 in 2024.
• The dairy herd increased by 8.7%, from 60,398 in 2023 to 65,659 in 2024.
• This contributed to a 15% rise in raw milk production in 2024.

“Grazing conditions and water supply have improved across most regions following widespread rains in January. Livestock is in fair to good body condition,” the Lands Ministry reported.

While agriculture and livestock sectors show promise, the fisheries and aquaculture sector has suffered setbacks due to drought.

• Total fish production in 2024 declined to 31,296 tonnes, down from the previous year.
• Kapenta harvests fell due to overfishing and illegal activities.
• Nile tilapia production also dropped due to the effects of drought.

“Of the total fish production in 2024, 26,310 tonnes came from capture fisheries, while 4,986 tonnes were from aquaculture,” the report said.