World Food Day: How Zimbabwe’s Food Sovereignty Blueprint Will Revolutionise African Agriculture
Every year, World Food Day serves as a moment to reflect on progress towards global food security and nutrition. In 2025, Zimbabwe marked this occasion at the historic Matopo Research Institute in Matobo District, hosting a vibrant celebration under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” Far from a symbolic event, it showcased Zimbabwe’s agricultural milestones and bold strategic ambitions to become Africa’s breadbasket.
The event was a collaborative effort led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP). It featured diverse exhibitors such as ICRISAT, IFAD, Shumba Group, ProFeeds, and Primo, each highlighting innovations spanning improved crop varieties, sustainable animal feed, and community nutrition. Notably, indigenous communities proudly presented organic foods and championed small grains like sorghum and millet as climate-resilient, nutrient-dense staples vital to Africa’s food security.
A central highlight was the sector’s phenomenal growth. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka, Professor Dr Obert Jiri highlighted the achievement, stating, “Despite facing the worst drought in forty years during the 2023/2024 season, our agricultural sector has grown to become a USD 10.3 billion industry!”.
This growth was underscored by the victory of wheat self-sufficiency—a feat shared by only a handful of African nations, including Ethiopia. Producing approximately 468,000 tonnes in 2023 from over 90,000 hectares, Zimbabwe not only met domestic demand but also emerged as a potential regional supplier. This triumph signals a significant turnaround for a country that historically relied heavily on wheat imports.
Beyond wheat, Zimbabwe has revitalised multiple agricultural sectors. Household food security in rural areas soared from 44% in 2020 to 85% today, reflecting better access to nutritious food. The horticulture industry witnessed a rejuvenation with export-oriented crops like blueberries and avocados contributing vital foreign earnings. Further, irrigation infrastructure expanded substantially through initiatives such as the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme (SIRP), rehabilitating over 5,000 hectares.
IFAD’s representative noted the impact, stating, “Our investments have been aimed at improving the livelihoods and resilience of poor rural populations through inclusive, sustainable and climate-smart interventions.”. The SIRP benefited 35,000 smallholder farmers, with the representative adding, “Through the SIRP intervention, a total of 35,000 smallholder farmers were reached, with women accounting for 50% of beneficiaries and youth for 30%.”
Key to sustaining this momentum is the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2) for 2026–2030, officially launched at the event. This ambitious blueprint aims to transform the agricultural economy into a USD 15.8 billion sector by 2030, with the goal of ensuring food sovereignty. Minister Masuka defined this new goal, stating, “We are moving beyond episodic, weather-dependent production to a climate-proofed agriculture that guarantees we feed ourselves, on our own terms, in perpetuity.”
AFSRTS 2 rests on pillars, including enhanced nutrition security to combat malnutrition, transforming agriculture into business enterprises with bankable land title deeds and advisory support, rural industrialisation to create economic hubs, and a determined push for climate resilience through extensive irrigation development and conservation agriculture.
The event underscored that achieving food sovereignty is a collective endeavour. WFP Country Director Ms Barbara Clemens reminded the audience of the country’s legacy, noting, “Once hailed as the breadbasket, Zimbabwe fed its own people and its neighbouring countries. In fact, WFP once used Zimbabwe as a regional procurement hub, sourcing food here to support operations across Southern Africa.”
She stressed that the mission is shared, stating, “But achieving zero hunger is not the responsibility of one institution or one ministry—it is a shared mission. It requires private sector investment in local food systems, community-driven resilience, youth and women’s leadership.
Partners like IFAD, FAO, and WFP reaffirmed their commitment, with IFAD investing almost USD 400 million since 1980 across projects that support farmer organisations, irrigation, and public-private partnerships. Despite these advances, Zimbabwe faces challenges including a sizeable funding gap for irrigation projects and persistent climate risks.
Yet, with a clear strategic framework, robust partnerships, and a resilient farming community embracing entrepreneurship and innovation, Zimbabwe is laying a transformative blueprint. This model offers lessons for Africa on achieving food security not just through imports and aid but through sovereign, sustainable agriculture.
As Zimbabwe strides towards Vision 2030, the Matobo celebration was a powerful testament that by working hand in hand, African nations can harness their resources, knowledge, and spirit to revolutionise how they feed their people.
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