Harare, (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe government has approved the 2025/2026 Crops, Horticulture, Fisheries and Livestock Summer Plan, a comprehensive program aimed at boosting food security, increasing rural incomes, and enhancing national agro-industrial capacity.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere told the media after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the plan places strong emphasis on agro-ecological crop tailoring, household climate-proofing under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme, and expanded irrigation to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“This season’s approach is about strengthening resilience at both household and national levels through smart agriculture, targeted input support, and strategic investments,” he said.
Under the Presidential Input Support Scheme, farmers will receive inputs for maize, sorghum, pearl millet, soyabeans, sunflower, African peas, groundnuts, and sugar beans.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has been designated as the national food, feed, seed, and oils security agent, with an ambitious target of 500 000 metric tons of summer cereals from 100 000 hectares and 300 000 metric tons of winter cereals from 60 000 hectares.
Dr Muswere said oilseed production remains a priority, with 75 688 megalitres of oilseed targeted against a national demand of 180 000 megalitres, with sunflower identified as the lead crop in this drive for oil self-sufficiency.
On the commercial front, the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme (NEAPS) will finance 45 000 hectares targeting 247 000 metric tons of maize, soyabeans, traditional grains and sunflower, backed by AFC, CBZ, and NMB Bank with Government guarantees.
Dr Muswere added that the private sector, through the Food Crop Contractors Association, will contract 27 000 hectares of maize, 17 000 hectares of soyabean, and 10 000 hectares of sorghum, with an anticipated 224 500 metric tons output.
Cotton production will continue under the Government-enabled COTCCO Scheme, complemented by private-sector support.
“Farmers benefiting from the scheme will be required to deliver a portion of their harvest to sustain future production. Additionally, sesame cultivation will be promoted to diversify farmer incomes. To support productivity, 3 945 boreholes have been drilled to power Village, School, Youth, and Vocational Training Centre Business Units, while 15 000 hectares of new irrigation will be developed ahead of the season, raising the total irrigated land to 232 000 hectares, of which 100 000 hectares is earmarked for summer cropping,” Dr Muswere said.
He said the nation’s mechanization capacity is also on the rise, with 15 576 tractors, 3 100 planters, 334 combine harvesters, 90 commercial dryers, and 3 450 mechanized units ready for deployment.
Dr Muswere further announced that pre-planting and marketing prices will soon be released to guide farmers, with the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) set to act as the buyer of last resort and to purchase all crops financed under Government schemes.
In fisheries, the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme will stock three million fingerlings in 2 000 ponds, supported by five strategic fingerling centres at the Henderson, Makoholi, Matopos, Bubi-Lupane, and Chipinge Coffee Research Institutes, marking a significant boost to aquaculture and rural nutrition.
“These initiatives demonstrate the Government’s commitment to a modern, market-oriented and climate-proof agriculture sector that sustains livelihoods, ensures food security, and contributes to the national economy,” Dr Muswere said.
New Ziana
