Harare, (New Ziana) –Zimbabwe is poised for a significant cereal surplus following a 5 percent growth in the agricultural sector, with Government moving to consolidate the gains through targeted policy measures, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Addressing the media after Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Zhemu Soda said Cabinet had approved the 2026 Second Round Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report, which paints a positive outlook for the 2025/26 summer season.
“The agricultural sector experienced an overall growth of 5 percent, reflecting improved productivity across crops, livestock and fisheries. This places the country on a firm footing towards achieving national food security and building strategic reserves,” he said.
He noted that maize production, the country’s staple crop, is expected to increase from 2.29 million metric tons in the 2024/25 season to 2.35 million metric tons this season.
“Maize output is projected to rise by 2 percent, while traditional grains are estimated at 390 272 metric tons, comprising sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet,” he said.
Dr Soda added that total cereal production for the season is forecast at 2 739 712 metric tons, with overall grain availability, including strategic reserves, expected to reach 2 876 614 metric tons.
“The national cereals balance sheet to March 2027 shows that Zimbabwe is likely to record a surplus ranging from 550 945 metric tons to 964 945 metric tons, depending on consumption patterns,” he said, adding the report also highlights strong performance in other sub-sectors, particularly livestock and horticulture.
“Production of goats, sheep, pigs and poultry increased by a range of between 0.3 percent and 29 percent, while horticultural crops recorded growth of between 10 percent and 44 percent,” Dr Soda said, further revealing a sharp increase in oilseed production, with soyabean output more than doubling.
“Soyabean production increased by 129 percent, from 41 919 metric tons in 2024 to 96 129 metric tons in the current season,” he said.
Cash crops also registered notable gains, with cotton and tobacco output on the rise.
“Cotton production is estimated at 77 212 metric tons, reflecting a 26 percent increase, while tobacco output is projected at 378 322 metric tons, which is a 7 percent rise from the previous season,” he said.
To safeguard these achievements, Dr Soda said Cabinet had adopted a raft of measures aimed at strengthening resilience and sustaining growth in the agricultural sector.
“These include the enforcement of Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025 to encourage local production and purchase of grain, as well as the acceleration of climate-proofing agriculture at both national and household levels through programs such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa and irrigation development,” he said.
He added that Government would continue promoting agro-ecological crop planning and soil fertility management, supported by enhanced agricultural information systems.
“We are also prioritizing the resourcing of Rural Development 8.0 programs and investing in Village Business Units, while expanding Ward Drought Mitigation Centres to build community resilience against future shocks,” he said.
On cotton, Dr Soda said Cabinet had moved to revive the sub-sector through targeted interventions.
“The revitalisation of the cotton industry will be supported by a tailored corporate rescue initiative for the relevant State-owned enterprise, alongside the expeditious payment of farmers for their deliveries,” he said.
The latest Cabinet assessment underscores Government commitment to not only boost production, but also to ensure sustainability, resilience and long-term food security in Zimbabwe.
New Ziana
