Zimbabwe expands summer cereal plantings beyond 100,000 hectares

Zimbabwe’s Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has surpassed 101,000 hectares under maize and traditional grains for the 2025/26 summer season, marking the highest cereal hectarage in its history. This is reported by The Herald, a partner of TV BRICS. 

The result supports the country’s Strategic Grain Reserve and reinforces national food security efforts as implementation of National Development Strategy 2 (2026–2030). Officials noted that ARDA’s production drive highlights the country’s growing capacity to secure grain supplies for both strategic reserves and market needs. 

The summer cropping area includes 34,752 hectares of irrigated maize and 64,478 hectares of traditional grains such as sorghum, cultivated across estates, irrigation schemes, and partnerships with smallholder farmers in multiple provinces. Traditional grains are prioritised in areas with variable rainfall, while irrigation systems provide reliable support for maize cultivation.

ARDA is also promoting modern, efficiency-focused agriculture through the use of advanced farming technologies and structured cooperation models. Support measures include the provision of seeds, fertilisers and other inputs aimed at strengthening productivity, resilience and climate-smart practices.

The initiative is aligned with national targets to expand functional irrigable land to 350,000 hectares by 2030. In addition to primary production, the initiative promotes value addition, agro-processing, and the development of rural service centres, contributing to food, feed, fibre and oil security while broadening economic activity in rural communities.

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