Zimbabwe sets 120,000ha target for 2025 winter wheat season
ZIMBABWE – The Zimbabwean government has set a preliminary target of planting 120,000 hectares of wheat for the 2025 winter cropping season, matching last year’s hectarage, in a bid to sustain recent bumper harvests and strengthen national food security.
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has begun extensive preparations, including securing power supply for irrigation and mobilizing critical inputs.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Mr. Leonard Munamati, acting chief director of Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, confirmed that preparations for the 2025 winter cropping season are already underway.
“We have started preparations for the 2025 winter cropping programme,” said Mr. Munamati. “While we worked with the 120,000ha target from last season, the final target for 2025 will be announced by the Minister, Dr. Anxious Masuka, after considering expert advice.”
The Government is engaging key stakeholders, including farmers, financiers, and input suppliers, to ensure a seamless winter cropping programme. Wheat production this season will be supported by a multi-pronged funding approach, drawing resources from the private sector, contract farming schemes, and Government-backed initiatives.
“We are going to have wheat grown under the private sector scheme,” Mr. Munamati explained.
He added that the Food Crops Contractors Association will again contract farmers, and others will grow wheat under the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme, which is currently funded by banks such as AFC, CBZ, and NMB.
Wheat is the second most important strategic food security crop in Zimbabwe after maize. Every year, the country sets ambitious targets in effort cut reliance on imports.
In 2024, the country achieved a yield of 555,824 metric tonnes, reaching 92% of its 600,000-tonne target by cultivating approximately 119,594 hectares. This marked a significant increase compared to the previous year’s yield of 468,000 metric tonnes from 90,186 hectare.
Despite the progress, Zimbabwe continues to rely on wheat imports to meet its domestic demand.
Beyond wheat, the 2025 winter cropping season will also prioritize increased production of potatoes and barley.
“We are targeting to increase potato production. Last year, we had significant hectarage under potato, and this time around, we are expanding it further,” Mr. Munamati added.
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