THE agriculture sector is confidently entering a transformative phase under National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) framework (2026-2030), following remarkable successes achieved during the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) period (2020-2025).
The NDS1 framework aimed to revitalise the agriculture sector by setting clear goals and priorities, ultimately positioning agriculture as a cornerstone of the country’s economic recovery and growth.
This initiative yielded impressive results, which the Government is now eager to build upon.
Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, said the Ministry is now ready for this new phase.
He said they will move into the next stage “from a position of strength, credibility and proven delivery.”
Reflecting on the NDS1 journey, Prof Jiri described it as “a defining chapter in Zimbabwe’s agricultural history, where clear targets were set and more importantly, exceeded.”
Under this framework, the initial aim was to build a US$5 billion agricultural industry by 2025.
This target represented a comprehensive approach to revitalising the economy through agriculture, which employs a significant portion of the population.
“What we achieved in NDS1 went beyond expectations. By 2023, not only had we met our initial target, but we had surpassed it,” he noted. Motivated by this momentum, the Ministry raised the goal to US$8,2 billion by 2025.
Ultimately, it closed the year with an impressive US$10 billion agricultural industry, a testament to the effective strategies implemented.
These gains translated into tangible, life-changing outcomes for the nation.
Prof Jiri said despite droughts and climate shocks, the Ministry ensured that Zimbabwe “moved from being food-deficit to food-sufficient in grains”.
There have been strong performances in staple crops like maize, wheat and traditional grains.
Wheat production serves as a flagship achievement.
The area cultivated expanded from about 60 000 hectares to over 120 000 hectares, resulting in an increase in yield from roughly 200 000 tonnes to more than 640 000 tonnes by this year.
“Today, wheat self-sufficiency is no longer an aspiration; it is a reality,” said Prof Jiri.
Zimbabwe and Ethiopia are the only wheat self-sufficient countries on the continent.
The turnaround in livestock production has been equally compelling.
Prof Jiri said the country has moved from producing about 40 million litres of milk per year to over 115 million litres, which means it is now self-sufficient in milk, illustrating the significant progress made in that sector.
Further, meat production has also reached a milestone, now at around 100 000 tonnes annually, which has eliminated the need for meat imports entirely.
Zimbabwe is no longer importing meat, which is a significant milestone for the sector.
In addition to these achievements, horticulture has emerged as a powerful growth pillar under the NDS1 framework.
With targeted investments and strategic planning, Zimbabwe has positioned itself among global leaders in agricultural exports.
“In blueberry production, we moved from zero to becoming the second-largest producer in the world,” said Prof Jiri, highlighting the sector’s potential for high-value exports.
In avocados, Zimbabwe is now the fifth-largest producer globally.
These achievements underscore the idea that Zimbabwean agriculture can compete at the highest international level when policy, investment, and execution are aligned.
Building on this solid foundation, the Ministry is now shifting decisively into the NDS2 era, armed with sharpened ambition and focus.
Prof Jiri said as they move into NDS2, the ministry is targeting an agricultural industry of more than US$15,8 billion by 2030.-herald
