Zimbabwe: Govt moves to reduce rice imports
Zimbabwe is seeking full membership of the Africa Rice Centre to reduce rice import dependence and expand domestic production. Producing just 2,900 tonnes against annual consumption of 300,000 tonnes, the country plans to cultivate 5,000 hectares and strengthen seed development, irrigation, processing and farmer support.
ZIMBABWE is stepping up efforts to reduce dependence on imported rice by seeking full membership of the Africa Rice Centre, as Government moves to develop local seed varieties, expand production and build a competitive domestic rice industry.
The country produces about 2 900 tonnes of rice annually against consumption of approximately 300 000 tonnes, leaving domestic production capable of meeting barely one percent of national demand.
Zimbabwe imported nearly 264 000 tonnes of rice worth US$190,4 million in 2024, according to World Bank trade data, highlighting the significant economic opportunity presented by developing local production.
In a speech read on his behalf by Lands and Rural Development Minister Vangelis Haritatos at the 34th Ordinary Session of the AfricaRice Council of Ministers in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, yesterday, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga said Zimbabwe wanted to move from observer status to full membership of the organisation.
Full membership would enable the country to work more closely with AfricaRice researchers in developing suitable seed varieties, strengthening farmer training and modernising rice processing.
VP Chiwenga said Zimbabwe was targeting a phased expansion of rice cultivation to 5 000 hectares, drawing lessons from its wheat production programme, where coordinated investment and policy support helped the country achieve self-sufficiency.
“If we develop local capacity and produce that rice at home, we keep money in our economy, create jobs for our women and youth, and support our smallholder farmers,” he said.
A key priority will be identifying high-yielding rice varieties capable of performing under Zimbabwe’s climatic conditions, while meeting consumer expectations on quality and price, he said.
“We invite partnership with AfricaRice to identify high-yielding seed varieties tailored to our climatic conditions,” said VP Chiwenga.
He said Government wanted to ensure that agricultural research translated into commercial production and improved access to quality rice for consumers.
“Our priority is to connect research to enterprise and enterprise to consumers. Technology transfer should produce tangible outcomes.
“African rice must be affordable, consistently of high quality, reliably supplied and globally competitive,” he said.
He added that Zimbabwe is seeking investment in mechanisation, storage, milling, transport and branding to establish a viable value chain capable of supporting increased production.
VP Chiwenga said the initiative was linked to the country’s irrigation rehabilitation programme and plans to establish rural agro-industrial hubs, which would bring processing facilities closer to farming communities.
The development of reliable markets for smallholder farmers will also be critical to the success of the programme, ensuring that increased production is matched by adequate processing capacity and consistent demand.
The AfricaRice Council meeting brings together ministers and national agricultural research leaders from the organisation’s 28 member countries, alongside scientists, private-sector representatives and development partners.
The meeting is being held under the theme, “Enhancing the Competitiveness and Marketability of Rice Produced in Africa”.
AfricaRice Board of Trustees chairperson Dr Emmanuel Kofi Agyir Sackey said the Council would consider the organisation’s proposed 2027-2035 institutional strategy and applications for new membership.
He also called on member countries to meet their financial obligations, warning that delayed contributions and accumulated arrears were affecting the organisation’s operations.
“The persistent challenge of delayed contributions or non-payment does not only strain the organisation’s cashflow but also hampers programme implementation and capital development,” he said.
Dr Sackey said AfricaRice was working with national agricultural research systems to develop and roll out solutions that could reach more farmers.
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Source : The Herald
