GOVERNMENT has announced an ambitious plan to put up to 50 000 hectares under rice production across the country to achieve full domestic rice production within five years.
Authorities said the programme was supported by expanded seed systems, farmer support programmes and international partnerships aimed at scaling up national output.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Obert Jiri said the strategy had been finalised and implementation was underway.
Jiri said the programme targeted the development of up to 50 000 hectares of rice production across the country.
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“Our strategy is to ensure that within five years we are able to produce all the rice we need in the country,” he said during a two-stop agricultural field tour in Harare and Mashonaland West province.
“The strategy is clear. It is approved and the partners who are supporting us are on board.”
He said Zimbabwe would focus on upland rice varieties suited to local conditions, avoiding flood irrigation systems used in some Asian countries.
“In the Middle East, they flood the areas for rice production. Here, we are not going to flood. We use upland rice varieties, which require less water.”
According to Jiri, the government is working with international partners, including Japan, to support rice genetics, seed development and technical training.
Seed multiplication programmes are also being scaled up to ensure adequate supply for commercial production.
“Tanzania is now self-sufficient in rice production. What Tanzania can do, we can also do in this country. The farmers are there. The land is there,” he said.
At Rainham Farm, smallholder farmer Bongani Moyo demonstrated his 1,3-hectare rice project. He has been cultivating Nerica rice varieties over the past five years alongside maize.
He said improved soil management and fertiliser use had significantly increased yields.
“This is a model that we can replicate for the whole country,” said Moyo, noting that some varieties were yielding up to five tonnes per hectare under improved management.
He also highlighted the commercial potential of Kilombero rice, which he said was gaining popularity in local markets due to its cooking quality and higher value.
At Holland Park Farm in Chinhoyi, farmer Kudzanai Vere reported strong maize performance this season despite a late dry spell that affected parts of the crop.
“We are expecting almost eight to nine tonnes per hectare. Generally, I think we have done very well,” he said.
Farm manager Alex Janasi said harvesting was underway, with efforts focused on drying maize quickly to prepare for winter wheat planting.
Across the country, early crop assessments indicate an improved agricultural season compared to last year, with gains in maize and traditional grains.-newsda
