Zimbabwe has achieved a record expansion in summer cereal cultivation, with plantings surpassing 101,000 hectares for the 2025/26 agricultural season, according to the country’s Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA).
This is reported by The Herald, a partner of TV BRICS.
The milestone marks the largest cereal hectarage ever recorded by ARDA and represents a major boost to Zimbabwe’s Strategic Grain Reserve, reinforcing national food security as the country moves toward implementing National Development Strategy 2 (2026–2030).
Officials said the achievement reflects Zimbabwe’s growing capacity to secure grain supplies for both strategic reserves and domestic markets.
The expanded production drive underscores ARDA’s central role in strengthening resilience within the agricultural sector amid climate variability and economic pressures.
The summer cropping programme includes 34,752 hectares of irrigated maize and 64,478 hectares of traditional grains, such as sorghum.
Cultivation is spread across ARDA estates, irrigation schemes, and partnerships with smallholder farmers in several provinces.
Traditional grains continue to be prioritised in regions prone to erratic rainfall, while irrigation infrastructure provides consistent support for maize production.
ARDA is also advancing modern, efficiency-driven farming by deploying improved agricultural technologies and structured cooperation models.
Farmers involved in the programme receive support through access to quality seeds, fertilisers, and other essential inputs aimed at boosting productivity, resilience, and climate-smart agriculture.
The initiative aligns with national objectives to expand functional irrigable land to 350,000 hectares by 2030.
Beyond primary crop production, it also encourages value addition, agro-processing, and the development of rural service centres, broadening economic activity while contributing to food, feed, fibre, and oil security across rural communities.
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