USD 15.8 Billion Agric Industry by 2030

…PPPs Drive Expansion

Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is preparing for its next major growth phase, as the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development sets a new target to grow the industry to more than USD 15.8 billion by 2030.

This revelation follows consecutive milestones achieved under the National Grain Strategy 1 (NGS1).

Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the ministry’s performance has consistently exceeded expectations, setting the stage for even greater expansion.

“We set an initial target of a USD 5 billion agricultural industry by 2025 and managed to achieve and surpass it by 2023,” he said.

“After exceeding the USD 5 billion mark two years early, the ministry revised its projection to USD 8.2 billion. We achieved that as well, and in fact attained more than a USD 10 billion industry as we crossed into 2025,” said Prof Jiri.

He stated that the new target reflects the sector’s proven ability to achieve accelerated growth.

“We have now set our sights on surpassing USD 15.8 billion by 2030 because the sector continues to deliver beyond expectations,” he said.

Prof Jiri outlined strong gains in crop and livestock production shown in the agricultural balance sheet. Wheat hectarage doubled from around 60,000 to over 120,000 hectares, with output rising from 200,000 metric tonnes before NGS1 to more than 640,000 by 2025.

“Milk production increased from under 40 million litres annually to more than 115 million litres, making the country self-sufficient, while meat production surpassed 100,000 metric tonnes, eliminating the need for imports.

We moved from a food-deficient nation to a food-sufficient one, and that achievement speaks to the strength of our interventions,” said Prof Jiri.

Zimbabwe has also emerged as a competitive global horticultural producer.

“We moved from zero blueberries to where we are now, the second-largest producer in the world and number one in quality and size,” he said.

Prof Jiri highlighted the crucial role development partners and private-sector players have played in strengthening the sector’s resilience and growth.

“Our development partners have really come through for us. In terms of irrigation rehabilitation, the bulk of the progress we have seen was driven by development partners and our investors.”

To coordinate irrigation expansion more effectively, the ministry established the Irrigation Development Alliance.

“We formed the Alliance to ensure that everyone involved comes together at one table to think together, plan together, and determine what we can do in irrigation,” said Prof Jiri.

He added that the ministry’s Legacy Programme has opened new investment avenues.

“Our thrust is that if we are going to see a rise in agriculture, we must have a private-sector-led investment model, with government only playing the role of an assistant,” he said.

Prof Jiri said the ministry is now focusing on NGS2, which will emphasise value addition, beneficiation, and enhanced industrial participation.

“As we move into NGS2, we are shifting from only increasing production to creating more value and beneficiation across all value chains. This will bolster our confidence in achieving a USD 15.8 billion agricultural sector by 2030,” said Prof Jiri.