Zimbabwe targets 1.5 million tonnes of grain storage by 2030
The government plans to expand grain reserves, build solar-powered storage facilities and raise maize production as it prepares for climate-related food supply risks.
ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe plans to raise its national grain storage capacity to 1.5 million metric tons by 2030 as the government strengthens food reserves and prepares for future weather shocks.
The Ministry of Information announced the target on August 4, with Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka saying the government wants to build stronger reserves after the severe drought that affected the country in 2024.
The government aims to hold 450,000 metric tons in the National Strategic Grain Reserve by the end of 2026. Officials expect to secure 300,000 tons immediately, while another 150,000 tons will come from the wheat harvest.
The government also plans to install solar-powered silos capable of storing grain for up to five years. Officials will place some of the facilities in areas that do not produce large volumes of grain so the reserves can reach regions facing greater food needs.
Masuka said the government wants to prepare for the effects of the “super El Niño” weather pattern as Zimbabwe faces growing pressure from changing weather conditions.
The storage plans come as maize production improves. By July 30, 2026, farmers had planted maize across 1.96 million hectares, up from 1.81 million hectares during the same period a year earlier. Production also increased from 2.20 million metric tons to 2.68 million metric tons, marking a 17.1% rise.
Zimbabwe’s experience during the 2024 drought has shaped the government’s food storage plans. During the crisis, the government distributed 328,000 metric tons of cereals to 6.5 million people. It also supplied 33,000 tons to 4.5 million students through school feeding programmes.
The country also continues to work on reducing its reliance on imported wheat. Zimbabwe imported wheat worth about US$124.5 million in 2023, while the import bill reached nearly US$135 million in 2024.
Local seed research could help cut those costs. Seed Co Chief Executive Officer Morgan Nzwere said the company continues to develop wheat varieties that meet the needs of millers and bakers while performing well under local conditions.
“We will continue investing in wheat research and development to produce varieties that address current and future challenges facing farmers and the industry,” Nzwere said.
He added that Seed Co wants to produce premium hard wheat locally by using modern breeding methods to improve grain quality and shorten the time needed to develop new varieties.
Together, higher production, larger reserves and local wheat research could help Zimbabwe reduce food import costs while improving its ability to respond to poor harvests.
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