Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has set the tone for the upcoming summer cropping season, rallying Zimbabweans to deliver yet another bumper harvest and ensure food security.
Once again, Zimbabweans are turning their focus towards achieving food security, both at the household and national levels.
The government is targeting to put more than three million hectares under cereals during the 2025/26 summer cropping season, with output expected to be 30 % higher than last season’s figures.
In light of this, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is also the President and First Secretary of ZANU PF, is very clear about the target, having told the party’s Central Committee members recently that agricultural productivity is everyone’s responsibility.
“ZANU PF remains preoccupied and focused on growing a robust and productive agriculture sector that lifts many out of poverty, into prosperity, while being responsive to the negative effects of climate change. Guided by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development’s presentation on the prospects of the 2025/26 summer cropping season, I urge Central Committee members to guide our structures in the mobilisation of farmers. We must take advantage of yet another predicted good rainfall season to produce more, to feed ourselves and provide adequate feedstock into industry,” he said.
The ZANU-PF-led government is prepared to continuously support farmers.
“On our part as the ZANU PF Government, we are committed to avail inputs, fertilisers, chemicals, and other relevant support across all provinces and districts,” President Mnangagwa said.
Cde Mnangagwa’s message has been welcomed by farmer organisations, amid calls for farmers to adopt best agronomic practices in order to deliver food for the nation.
Besides food security, tobacco farmers are looking forward to surpassing last season’s record deliveries of 153 million kilogrammes.
“We want to sincerely thank the Head of State and Government, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, for listening to the plea of farmers and responding with tangible support. His recent pronouncements and interventions have brought renewed hope and confidence to the agricultural sector. Most of our farmers are genuinely pleased and encouraged by the President’s commitment to empowering us. Access to inputs, security of land tenure through title deeds, and other support measures are a clear demonstration that our concerns are being taken seriously at the highest level,” president Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association, Mr George Seremwe said.
The country is expected to receive normal to above normal rainfall this season, although less rain is predicted in the first half of the season.
