Zimbabwe intends to expand its national grain storage capacity to 1.5 million metric tonnes by 2030, as the government moves to bolster food reserves and prepare for future climate shocks.
The Ministry of Information announced the target on 4 August, with Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka stating that the government aims to build more robust reserves following the severe drought that struck the country in 2024.
The government plans to store 450,000 metric tonnes in the National Strategic Grain Reserve by the end of 2026. Authorities expect to secure 300,000 tonnes immediately, with the remaining 150,000 tonnes expected to come from the wheat harvest.
The government also plans to install solar-powered silos capable of preserving grain for up to five years. Some of these facilities will be built in areas that do not produce large volumes of grain, enabling reserves to be channelled to regions with the greatest food needs.
Masuka said the government intends to prepare for the effects of the climate pattern known as super El Niño, as Zimbabwe faces mounting pressure from shifting weather conditions.
The storage plans come as maize production is improving. As of 30 July 2026, farmers had planted maize on 1.96 million hectares, up from 1.81 million hectares over the same period the previous year. Output also rose from 2.20 million to 2.68 million metric tonnes, representing growth of 17.1%.
Zimbabwe’s experience during the 2024 drought has shaped the authorities’ food storage plans. During the crisis, the government distributed 328,000 metric tonnes of grain to 6.5 million people. It also provided 33,000 tonnes to 4.5 million students through school feeding programmes.
The country continues to work on reducing its dependence on wheat imports. Zimbabwe imported wheat worth approximately US$124.5 million in 2023, while the import bill reached nearly US$135 million in 2024.
The government plans to store 450,000 metric tonnes in the National Strategic Grain Reserve by the end of 2026.
Domestic seed research could help reduce these costs. Seed Co Chief Executive Morgan Nzwere said the company continues to develop wheat varieties that meet the needs of millers and bakers while performing well under local conditions.
“We will continue to invest in wheat research and development to produce varieties that address the current and future challenges faced by farmers and the industry,” Nzwere said.
He added that Seed Co intends to produce high-quality hard wheat locally, using modern plant breeding methods to improve grain quality and reduce the time needed to develop new varieties.
Together, rising production, stronger reserves, and investment in local wheat research could help Zimbabwe reduce food import costs while reinforcing the country’s capacity to respond to crop failures.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/08/10/mundo/africa/zimbabue-quer-armazenar-15-milhao-de-toneladas-de-cereais-ate-2030/
