Story by Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE has exceeded its 2026 winter wheat planting target, with 128 459 hectares now under cultivation, a major milestone for the country’s food security drive and efforts to strengthen domestic grain production.
The achievement, which represents a three percent increase above the national target of 125 000 hectares, was announced following the Twentieth Cabinet Meeting chaired by President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, said Cabinet had received an update from the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, on the state of winter cropping and grain marketing.
“A total of 128 459 hectares has been planted, surpassing the target of 125 000 hectares by three percent,” Dr Soda said.
ARDA has planted 59 880 hectares, representing 92 percent of its target, contributing significantly to the national achievement.
The positive outlook for winter cropping comes as Government intensifies efforts to enhance food security, maintain strategic grain reserves and reduce dependence on grain imports.
Cabinet also received an update on the 2025/2026 summer crops marketing programme, with Government assuring farmers and service providers of timely payments.
“Total grain stocks at the Grain Marketing Board as at 17 June 2026 stood at 169 946 metric tonnes comprising maize, traditional grains and wheat, and farmers and service providers, especially transporters, will now be timeously paid,” said Dr Soda.
The 2025/2026 marketing season involves five categories of farmers, namely beneficiaries of the Presidential Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme, self-financed producers, farmers supported through AFC and CBZ under the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), privately contracted farmers and those financed through ARDA.
Government reported significant grain deliveries during the season, including 40 693.28 metric tonnes delivered by ARDA, alongside substantial volumes from communal farmers earmarked for the Strategic Grain Reserve.
To improve grain collection and storage efficiency, the Grain Marketing Board plans to aggregate produce through its 1 804 collection points and 89 depots, while introducing an In-Transit Grain Storage Facility to strengthen grain supply chains.
Cabinet also reviewed performance in other key agricultural subsectors.
Tobacco sales reached 330.6 million kilogrammes at an average price of US$2.50 per kilogramme.
“This is an 11 percent increase in volume and a 25 percent decrease in average price compared to the previous season, where 299.2 million kilogrammes were sold at an average price of US$3.36 per kilogramme,” Dr Soda said.
He noted that auction tobacco prices have shown signs of recovery during the marketing season.
“Average auction prices increased from around US$1.60/kg at the start of the season to approximately US$2.54/kg by selling day 71, reflecting improved market performance in recent weeks,” he said.
Cotton deliveries also recorded strong growth, rising to 5 079 907 kilogrammes by June 18, compared to 310 625 kilogrammes during the same period last year.
Cabinet further noted that the national barley target remains 6 500 hectares, while the Irish potato target is 9 000 hectares, with expected production of 243 850 metric tonnes.
The agricultural update formed part of a broader Cabinet agenda that also approved the Zimbabwe Sugarcane Industry Development Plan (2026–2035), reviewed preparations for the 2026 National Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day commemorations, received progress reports on the National Disability Expo in Masvingo, and considered regional and international engagements.
