Emergency Food Production Project Concludes with Strong Results as Zimbabwe Charts Climate-Smart Agricultural Future

Zimbabwe’s Emergency Food Production Project (EFPP) has concluded on a high note after delivering substantial gains in food production, farmer support and agricultural resilience, with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, describing the initiative as a critical pillar in safeguarding national food security.

Speaking at the project’s official closure, Prof Jiri said the programme directly supported 188,000 farmers and covered 153,000 hectares of productive land, contributing significantly to increased agricultural output. He highlighted the achievement of record wheat yields averaging five tonnes per hectare, underscoring the project’s impact on strengthening domestic food production.

The Permanent Secretary also praised the performance of the Seed Revolving Fund, administered through AFC Bank and Land Bank, which attained an impressive 90 percent repayment rate, demonstrating strong farmer participation and the sustainability of the initiative.

Prof Jiri commended development partners, particularly the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), for their unwavering support during a period marked by unprecedented global and regional challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and successive El Niño-induced droughts.

Despite the programme’s success, he cautioned against complacency, warning that the agricultural sector continues to face mounting climate and economic pressures. He pointed to rising fertiliser costs and forecasts of a potential “super” El Niño event as emerging threats that could undermine future food production if not adequately addressed.

Looking ahead, Prof Jiri said Government is intensifying efforts to build a more resilient and competitive agricultural sector through expanded irrigation development targeting 496,000 hectares, increased mechanisation, enhanced value addition and the adoption of climate-smart farming systems.

He noted that these strategic interventions are central to Zimbabwe’s long-term agricultural transformation agenda and are expected to accelerate progress towards establishing a US$15.8 billion agricultural economy by 2030, in line with the country’s Vision 2030 aspirations.

The successful completion of the EFPP marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s agricultural development journey, providing a strong foundation for sustained food security, farmer empowerment and climate-resilient growth.

By Witness A Phiri