Zimbabwe Targets 340% Increase in Crop Production for 2025

Zimbabwe has set an ambitious target to increase major crop production by 340% for the 2024/25 summer season, a critical move toward achieving national food self-sufficiency. The announcement comes after the country experienced severe food shortages in 2024, leading the government to declare a national state of disaster due to widespread crop failures and famine. 

Government Strategy & Current Grain 

Reserves At the first post-cabinet press briefing of 2025, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Jongwe Masuka, assured the nation that the Zimbabwean Grain Marketing Board (GMB) had sufficient reserves to sustain rural communities until the next harvest in April 2025. 

To stabilize food supplies, the private sector played a crucial role in imports, bringing in: 

1.35 million tons of grain between April 2024 and February 2025, including: 

1.13 million tons of maize 

220,092 tons of wheat 

374 tons of wheat flour 

Additionally, the government has issued maize import permits for a total of 5 million tons, ensuring continued food security while ramping up local production. 

Massive Increase in Grain Production Planned 

As part of the 2024/25 Summer Season Plan, Zimbabwe aims to increase grain production to 3.2 million tons, a huge leap from the 744,000 tons produced in the previous season. This ambitious plan is expected to reduce reliance on food imports and improve national food security.

Expansion in Cotton and Tobacco Farming 

In addition to grain, Zimbabwe is seeing significant growth in cotton and tobacco farming: 

Cotton production : The total planted area expanded by 40%, reaching 203,875 hectares, compared to 145,265 hectares last season. 

Tobacco farming : 127,000 farmers registered for the 2024/25 season, reflecting a 10% increase from the previous year. 92% of these farmers are producing tobacco under contract farming. The total planted area for tobacco is now 132,851 hectares, a 16% increase from last season. 

Challenges and Key Success Factors 

While Zimbabwe’s plan is bold and ambitious, achieving a 340% increase in production will depend on several factors, including: 

Weather conditions : The country has faced unpredictable climate patterns, including droughts. 

Access to inputs : Availability of seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation infrastructure will be critical. 

Private sector involvement : Continued investments and partnerships will play a key role. 

Government support: Policies on subsidies, farmer support programs, and logistics will determine the success of this plan. 

Zimbabwe's target of a 340% increase in crop production marks a major step toward national food security. While challenges remain, the government’s strategic approach—supported by private sector imports, expanded farming areas, and increased farmer participation—could make this ambitious goal a reality. The success of the 2024/25 season will be closely watched as a critical turning point for Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.