THE Government has set a target to achieve rice self-sufficiency through production within the next five years, underpinned by a comprehensive strategy that includes a robust seed supply plan, farmer support packages and strong international partnerships.
At the centre of the programme is a seed multiplication initiative aimed at producing adequate seed to support the cultivation of about 50 000 hectares of rice, marking a significant shift towards reducing imports and strengthening national food security.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, said key partners are fully committed to the initiative.
“The strategy is clear, it is approved and the partners who are supporting us are on board,” he said last week.
Prof Jiri said the thrust of the programme is to ensure that Zimbabwe can meet its domestic rice requirements within the set timeframe, with particular emphasis on addressing seed availability, which has been identified as a major constraint.Zimbabwe trade fair
“So our strategy is to ensure that within five years, we are able to produce all the rice we need in the country.
“What we have been doing currently is to ensure that the strategy is clear, is approved and the partners who are supporting us are happy because, apart from just producing the rice, what you need is the base, which is the seed to grow the rice. That is where the bottleneck is.
“So we have been working with partners to ensure that we at least have a seed bulking strategy to ensure that, in five years, we are able to have all the seed that we want to produce the 50 000 or so hectares that we require for rice.”
He said international co-operation is playing a crucial role in accelerating the programme, with Japan emerging as a key partner providing both rice genetics and technical expertise.
“The Japanese have been very helpful and we appreciate these relations and co-operation that we have.
“Our hope is that the groundwork has been laid and we know that the Nerica rice varieties can be cultivated in Zimbabwe and what is left is to really start production, identify the correct areas and farmers, and the next stage will be to focus on processing of rice.”Zimbabwe trade fair
Nerica (New Rice for Africa) varieties are known for their adaptability to African conditions, offering high yields and resilience, making them suitable for Zimbabwe’s agro-ecological regions.
Beyond production, Government is also working on establishing a viable pricing framework to ensure farmers receive competitive returns, a move expected to incentivise uptake and investment in rice farming.
Prof Jiri said authorities are developing a pricing model that aligns local producer prices with the cost of importing rice, thereby making domestic production more attractive and sustainable.-herald
