Story by Yolanda Moyo
Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector has made significant strides in recent years, contributing significantly to national development.
This was revealed by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka during the 8th Annual National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service in Bulawayo this Sunday.
Dr Masuka highlighted initiatives being undertaken by the Second Republic towards improving food security and sovereignty.
The interventions, under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration, have transformed the country’s agricultural sector, driving sustainable development and ensuring food security.
“We are embracing climate-smart agriculture practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change on our agricultural production. These initiatives include drought-resistant crop varieties, efficient irrigation systems, and sustainable land management practices. By adopting these measures, we can ensure food security, even in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns,” he noted.
Government has since set a target of 2,7 million metric tonnes of maize this summer cropping season.
“We have achieved stellar yields in our agricultural maize production. 2024 has been a bad year for us due to the drought, but from here, we want to emerge stronger. We are envisaging maize production to go up to 2,7 million metric tonnes in 2025 against annual consumption of 1,4 million metric tonnes for human consumption and 400 000 metric tonnes for animal consumption,” said the Minister.
Minister Masuka also gave an insight into the rural industrialisation drive.
“Rural Development 8.0 is a package of President’s interventions that are outcome-based and impact oriented and designed to leave no one and no place behind. We believe that by developing agro-processing industries and supporting rural enterprises, we can create sustainable livelihoods for rural communities. This will not only enhance the value of agricultural produce but also attract investment and create employment opportunities, ultimately leading to economic growth and development in rural areas.”
Collaboration between the government, farmers and other stakeholders was highlighted as key in sustaining these gains and further advancing food security and sovereignty in Zimbabwe.
