Zimbabwe Unveils Ambitious Second Phase of Agricultural Transformation Strategy (AFSRTS2)

The Zimbabwean government has officially announced the launch of the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS2), marking a new, five-year commitment to overhaul the nation's vital agricultural sector. Slated to run from 2026 to 2030, this strategy aims to dramatically accelerate progress made under the first phase and cement food security, robust economic growth, and comprehensive rural upliftment across the country.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, under the leadership of Minister Dr. Anxious Masuka, AFSRTS2 is more than just a continuation—it’s an ambitious escalation. The initial 2020–2025 strategy laid a solid foundation, and the second phase is designed to scale up those achievements through deeper collaboration with all stakeholders, particularly the nation’s dedicated farmers.

Speaking at the recent Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) 85th Annual Congress, Dr. Masuka underscored the importance of this collaborative spirit. He commended the evolving partnership between the government and farmers’ organizations, noting how even the most "candid exchanges" have strengthened their shared commitment.

"The formal and informal interactions, collaboration, cooperation and coordination—many being very candid exchanges—have strengthened our collective resolve to transform agriculture, household by household, village by village, and value chain by value chain," Masuka stated, emphasizing a holistic approach to national transformation.

Despite the successes of the first phase, Minister Masuka candidly acknowledged the enduring obstacles that hinder farmer prosperity. These include persistently high production costs, the escalating threats of climate change, fragmented and weak market access, delayed payments from bodies like the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), and significant financing constraints.

AFSRTS2, however, has been meticulously crafted to directly tackle these systemic issues. The strategy’s ultimate economic objective is not just maintenance but aggressive growth: to propel the agricultural sector's value from USD $10.3 billion in 2025 to an impressive USD $15.8 billion by 2030.

"The Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 seeks to tackle these challenges and support sustained growth of the sector," Masuka affirmed, highlighting the targeted financial increase as a benchmark for national success.

The strategy is focused on achieving comprehensive transformation through five core pillars:

1. Food Security and Sovereignty: Ensuring the nation can reliably feed itself.

2. Nutrition Security: Improving the quality and diversity of available food.

3. Agricultural Competitiveness: Making Zimbabwean produce viable on regional and international markets.

4. Climate Resilience: Equipping farmers to mitigate and adapt to climate variability.

5. Value Addition: Promoting the processing of raw agricultural goods to capture greater economic returns.

Looking immediately ahead, a key priority for AFSRTS2 is the 2025/2026 farming season, where the focus will be on dramatically boosting grain production and reconstituting the national strategic reserves.

Minister Masuka outlined clear, measurable production targets. "We plan to produce enough to feed the nation, replenish the Strategic Grain Reserve and increase exports," he declared. The target for cereal production is set at cultivating 2.6 million hectares to yield 3.2 million metric tonnes. This ambitious goal significantly surpasses the national annual requirement, which stands at approximately 2.2 million metric tonnes, allowing for a substantial buffer and export capacity.

The Minister expressed considerable optimism about the upcoming agricultural year, bolstered by forecasts of normal to above-normal rainfall. Yet, he stressed that favorable weather alone is insufficient. He strongly advised farmers to abandon outdated practices and aggressively adopt modern, profitable production methods to safeguard and enhance their livelihoods.

Dr. Masuka distilled the necessary mindset shift into four crucial objectives for every farmer:

• Increase Quantity: Maximize the yield per hectare.

• Improve Quality: Ensure produce meets both domestic and export standards.

• Reduce Costs: Implement efficient technologies and management practices.

• Secure Better Prices: Negotiate and access improved market opportunities.

With AFSRTS2 now officially underway, the Zimbabwean government has signaled its unwavering focus on agriculture as the primary engine for national economic recovery and rural prosperity. The success of this new phase hinges on the sustained, candid, and cooperative partnership between policymakers and the farmers on the ground, who are ultimately responsible for feeding the nation.