Photo: Sindira Chetty
In 2024, the government declared a national state of disaster following widespread crop failures and famine in the country.
Speaking at the country’s first post-cabinet press briefing of 2025, Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, said the Zimbabwean Grain Marketing Board had enough reserves to sustain rural communities until the next harvest in April 2025.
“The private sector has been instrumental in maintaining grain supply, importing a total of 1,35 million tons between April 2024 and February 2025, comprising 1,13 million tons of maize, 220 092t of wheat, and 374t of wheat flour,” he added.
Masuka said the government issued maize import permits for a total of five million tons.
Zimbabwe’s 2024/25 Summer Season Plan was aimed at pushing up grain production to 3,2 million tons compared with the 744 000t recorded in the previous season.
According to Masuka, cotton production had also grown significantly, with the total planted area reaching 203 875ha, a 40% increase from the 145 265ha planted in the previous season.
“Tobacco farming continues to grow, with 127 000 growers registered for the 2024/25 season, reflecting a 10% rise compared to the same period last year, and 92% of these farmers participating under contract. The total planted area for tobacco stands at 132 851ha, a 16% increase from the previous season,” Masuka said.
