Harare, (New Ziana) –The area planted under staple cereals—including maize and traditional grains such as sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet in Zimbabwe increased from 2 540 385 hectares during the 2024/25 season, surpassing the target of 2 520 000 hectares, a Cabinet Minister said on Tuesday.
Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere said this during a post-Cabinet media briefing on the findings of the first round of the Crops, Livestock, and Fisheries Assessment Report, conducted by the Zimbabwe Statics Agency.
Muswere noted that the increase represents an 8.1 percent rise from the 2 349 921 hectares achieved in the 2023/24 season and exceeds the 2024/25 target.
“In the horticulture sector, there were notable increases in the area planted with perennials, particularly blueberries, oranges, and coffee. The total area under horticulture saw a marginal increase from 11 952 hectares in the 2023/24 season to 11 957 hectares in the 2024/25 season,” he said.
He emphasized that these gains were achieved despite challenges posed by the El Niño-induced drought and the delayed start of the 2024/25 agricultural season.
Regarding livestock, Muswere reported that the national beef cattle herd grew by 0.4 percent, from 5 718 523 in 2023 to 5 741 397 in 2024. The national dairy herd also saw significant growth, increasing by 8.7 percent from 60 398 in 2023 to 65 659 in 2024.
The growth contributed to a 15 percent increase in raw milk production, rising to 99 823 775 litres in 2024 from 86 699 440 litres in 2023.
The Presidential Rural Poultry Scheme gained momentum in 2024, with 751 408 four-week-old indigenous chicks distributed to beneficiaries, a significant increase from the 200 161 chicks distributed in 2023.
Muswere highlighted that, based on the findings of the First Round Crop, Livestock, and Fisheries Assessment Report, the government plans to establish a new institutional framework to optimize the planning and coordination of cloud-seeding activities. The initiative aims to enhance rainfall patterns across Zimbabwe.
Additionally, the government will accelerate irrigation development to expand functional irrigation from the current 217 000 hectares to a target of 496 000 hectares. This will be achieved through increased private sector participation and other strategic measures.
The report underscores the government’s commitment to bolstering agricultural productivity and resilience in the face of climate challenges, ensuring food security and economic growth for the country.
New Ziana
