ARDA Designated Food Security Agent

Oscar J Jeke- Zim Now Reporter

The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority has been designated as Zimbabwe’s “food, feed, seed and oils security agent” under the 2025/2026 Crops, Horticulture, Fisheries and Livestock Summer Plan, Cabinet announced on Tuesday.

The move places ARDA at the centre of national food security efforts, with a mandate to boost cereal production and reduce dependence on imports.

ARDA has been tasked with producing 500,000 metric tonnes of summer cereals from 100,000 hectares and 300,000 metric tonnes of winter cereals from 60,000 hectares. Farmers under the scheme will receive seed, fertiliser, and chemicals to enhance productivity.

“The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority has been designated the ‘food, feed, seed and oils security agent for the nation,’ with a target to produce 500,000 metric tonnes of summer cereals from 100,000 hectares and 300,000 metric tonnes of winter cereals from 60,000 hectares. The ARDA Scheme will provide seed, fertiliser and chemicals to farmers,” Cabinet noted.

Cabinet also confirmed that oilseed production for the 2025/2026 summer season is projected at 75,688 megalitres against Zimbabwe’s annual requirement of 180,000 megalitres.

Government said sunflower production would be prioritised to close the supply gap and move the country closer to self-sufficiency in edible oils.

Commercial production will be supported by the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme, financed through AFC, CBZ, and NMB banks under government guarantees. The scheme will target 45,000 hectares with an expected output of 247,000 metric tonnes.

Meanwhile, private contractors under the Food Crop Contractors Association will fund 54,000 hectares, aiming for 224,500 metric tonnes of output.

Cotton production will continue under the government-enabled COTTCO Scheme, complemented by sesame production to boost farmer incomes.

Fisheries expansion will also be scaled up, with three million fingerlings to be stocked in 2,000 ponds under the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme. Five fingerling centres are under development across the country.

To strengthen resilience, irrigation development is being accelerated, with 15,000 additional hectares to be established before the start of the season, bringing total irrigable land to 232,000 hectares.

Mechanisation is also being scaled up, with 15,576 tractors, 3,100 planters, 334 combine harvesters, and 90 commercial dryers already available for use.