Cabinet Approves Major Agriculture, Industrial Reform

The Cabinet has approved a sweeping package of agricultural, industrial, and economic reforms aimed at boosting production, strengthening consumer protection, and accelerating progress toward the country’s Vision 2030 development agenda.

The outcomes of the Fifth Post-Cabinet Meeting, chaired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, were announced on Tuesday by Minister Soda Zhemu, who presented the Cabinet briefing outlining key policy decisions and development programmes.

Winter Production Plan Targets Record Harvest

Central to the Cabinet resolutions is the 2026 Winter Production Plan, which seeks to expand agricultural output and secure national food supplies through intensified irrigation farming.

Under the programme, Zimbabwe will cultivate 125,000 hectares of wheat, 6,500 hectares of barley, and 9,000 hectares of Irish potatoes during the winter season.

Government projections indicate wheat production will reach 662,500 metric tonnes, exceeding the country’s annual national requirement of 615,000 tonnes.

Barley output is expected to reach 45,500 metric tonnes, while Irish potatoes are projected at 243,850 metric tonnes.

The programme forms part of the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2, which focuses on sustainable production, climate resilience and rural industrialisation.

Authorities say the plan will be supported by monitoring 21 key enablers, including electricity supply, irrigation water, seed availability, fertiliser distribution, fuel supply and mechanisation.

603 Development Projects Rolled Out

Cabinet also approved a nationwide Rapid Results Initiative programme consisting of 603 projects to be implemented across ministries, departments and government agencies during 2026.

The projects will be rolled out in three implementation cycles between February and December.

According to the Cabinet briefing, 206 projects will be executed during the first 100-day cycle, 203 in the second, and 174 in the final phase.

The initiatives target infrastructure development, economic transformation and improved service delivery, with priority given to historically underserved regions such as Binga, Kanyemba, Chikombedzi and Tsholotsho.

Harare will host the largest number of projects with 97 initiatives, followed by Matabeleland South with 60, Mashonaland West with 52, and Matabeleland North with 51.

New Industrial Policy Targets Manufacturing Growth

Cabinet further approved the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy 2 (2026-2030), a strategy designed to revitalise the country’s manufacturing sector and drive industrial transformation.

The policy aims to increase manufacturing growth from 2.2 per cent to over 5 per cent annually by 2030 while expanding the sector’s contribution to the national economy.

The government also intends to raise the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP from US$7 billion to US$12 billion and increase exports from US$470 million to US$1 billion.

Other targets include boosting industrial capacity utilisation from 51 per cent to 60 per cent and expanding value-added production in key sectors.

The strategy will integrate digital technologies and artificial intelligence into industrial processes, while strengthening Special Economic Zones and supporting small and medium enterprises.

Consumer Protection Policy Introduced

Cabinet also adopted a new Consumer Protection Policy (2026-2030) to strengthen consumer rights and regulate the supply of goods and services in Zimbabwe’s marketplace.

The policy introduces stronger enforcement measures against counterfeit and illicit trade, improves dispute resolution mechanisms and enhances oversight of digital commerce and e-commerce transactions.

Officials say the framework will also promote fair trading practices and improve product safety standards.

International Agreements Strengthen Cooperation

Zimbabwe also approved two international agreements aimed at expanding cooperation in education and technology.

A Memorandum of Understanding with Equatorial Guinea will facilitate academic exchanges, student enrolment and mutual recognition of qualifications between institutions in the two countries.

Another agreement with Tajikistan focuses on collaboration in technology transfer, construction, water supply infrastructure and disaster risk management systems.

Driving Vision 2030

Government officials say the combined policy package is designed to accelerate economic growth and improve living standards as Zimbabwe pursues its ambition of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

“The projects were selected based on their potential to significantly contribute to the aspirations of Vision 2030 and improve the livelihoods of citizens,” the Cabinet briefing stated.