Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Theseus Shambare
IN 2024, the Southern African region, Zimbabwe included, grappled with the fallout from the El Niño induced drought, which further exacerbated the effects of climate change.
It manifested in low water levels and reduced vegetation. This took a toll on both domestic and wild animals.
Crops also did not perform as expected since rainfall was erratic. Yet, amid this adversity, a remarkable story still unfolded.
Record harvests
Farmers countrywide demonstrated incredible resilience, willpower and determination.
Wheat output notably rose to a staggering 563 961 tonnes, a new record since commercial production of the cereal began in the early 1960s.
The harvest eclipsed the previous record of 465 546 tonnes achieved in 2023. The country’s annual demand for wheat presently stands at 360 000 tonnes.
Overall, in the past year, Zimbabwe consolidated its enviable status as one of the two wheat self-sufficient countries on the continent, with the other one being Ethiopia.
Further, surplus production not only ensures domestic food security, but also positions Zimbabwe to export grain, potentially earning valuable foreign exchange and reclaiming its status as the breadbasket of the region.
In order to boost the capacity of the country’s silos, the Government has since embarked on a US$500 million expansion project.
Seven state-of-the-art silos are now under construction at Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots in Kwekwe, Lupane, Rutenga, Mvurwi, Mhangura, Timber Mills and Mutare. The initiative targets 21 depots nationwide.
“Targets are meant to be broken; we are here to set new records,” said Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka in a meeting with heads of parastatals recently in Harare.
“If you get 98 percent, we say it is a very poor result. When you get 100 percent, we still say good, but you can do better. We do not accept mediocrity but the best if we are to achieve Vision 2030.”
Resilience in the livestock sector
While some experts initially predicted that close to 2,2 million cattle would succumb to the drought — considered the worst in the past 43 years — a combination of Government support, innovative drought mitigation strategies and hard work by farmers dramatically reduced losses to only 15 000.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri said the Government helped by providing “some relief in terms of silage and hay bales which were distributed in Matabeleland provinces, Masvingo and other affected areas”.
“We have put together a robust drought mitigation plan for livestock, culminating in the launch of ward livestock and drought mitigation centres,” he said.
Fisheries boom
The fisheries sub-sector also witnessed a remarkable turnaround.
During the past 18 months, production surged from a mere 18 000 tonnes to an impressive 35 000 tonnes.
The increase is a result of the Government’s Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy, which has seen farmers living around large dams getting their water sources stocked with free tilapia (Nile breams) fingerlings.
In addition, the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme has seen more fish ponds being constructed in both urban and rural homes for intensive production of tilapia fish for food.
Fisheries and aquaculture are now earmarked to become a U$1 billion sub-sector by 2030.
Exports
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), live poultry exports surged by 30 percent from US$1,7 million in the January to September 2023 period to US$2,2 million in the comparable period in 2024.
The poultry industry is among the fastest-growing sub-sectors in agriculture. Meanwhile, new frontiers in agriculture are being explored.
Blueberries and macadamia nuts are emerging as lucrative cash crops, attracting significant foreign investment and generating valuable export earnings.
The Horticultural Development Council (HDC) recently said the production of blueberries is set to grow, driven by demand.
“In 2024, the industry expects to increase output to 8 000 tonnes, with this growth coming from plant maturity and higher yields,” said HDC in a statement.
Zimbabwean berries access European Union (EU) markets through the Netherlands, which is a hub for fresh produce into the bloc.
Statistics also show that macadamia nuts export shipments rose by 62 percent from 4 709 715 kilogrammes (kg) in 2020 to 7 627 980kg in January to September 2024.
In value terms, macadamia nut in shell export earnings rose by 33 percent from US$6 278 517 to US$8 349 824 in the same period.
While there was growth in new sectors, traditional pillars of the economy remained strong, notwithstanding the drought.
Tobacco continues to be a significant foreign currency earner.
As at 13 December, 2024, Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) statistics show that 242 110 546kg of tobacco valued at US$ 1 380 657 084 had been exported.
Hope
Forecasts for a normal to above-normal 2024/2025 rainy season have made more farmers join the climate-proofed Presidential Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.
The overall production volumes of major crops are expected to increase by 347 percent from 915 000 tonnes to over four million tonnes.
To date, over 10,7 million plots have been prepared, a new record that surpasses the initial target of nine million plots.
Utilising the small weirs constructed by the Agricultural Engineering, Mechanisation and Soil Conservation directorate, farmers have been able to water their small plots.
Going forward, the authorities have recommended climate-smart and precision farming through revitalisation and expansion of irrigation systems countrywide.
Prof Jiri said the Government seeks to delink agriculture from the weather.
“The worst drought in 43 years was an eye-opener to us. This is a stark reminder of the need for resilience in food production. We are emphasising the need to adapt and innovate in order to delink our agriculture from the weather to achieve food security,” said Prof Jiri.
Zimbabwe targets to expand irrigable land from the current 203 000 hectares (ha) to 350 000ha by next year, which will guarantee national food security regardless of the performance of the rainy season.
