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Zimbabwe adapts to use technology in agriculture
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Zimbabwe is rapidly transforming its agricultural sector through the adoption of agritech and climate-smart solutions as it works to combat the effects of climate change, improve yields, and reclaim its position as a regional food powerhouse.
In recent years, the country has accelerated its efforts to digitalize farming and build resilience against drought and erratic weather patterns, which have plagued agricultural production and livestock survival.
Launched in November 2021, the National AgriTech Strategy (2021–2025) marked a major milestone in modernizing Zimbabwe's agricultural ecosystem. The strategy aims to enhance evidence-based decision-making and integrate digital technologies across the farming value chain.
According to Farmonaut, a satellite-based crop health monitoring platform, solar-powered irrigation systems have already boosted crop yields in Zimbabwe by up to 30%. However, accessibility remains limited, with most advanced technologies such as drones, lithium-powered systems, and precision farming tools still largely confined to commercial farms due to high upfront costs.
Zimbabwe's agricultural sector has faced four severe drought seasons in the past decade, making the adoption of smart solutions a necessity rather than a luxury. Frequent power outages have also disrupted water supply systems critical for both communal and commercial agriculture.
To mitigate these challenges, the government introduced the Intwasa/Pfumvudza program in 2020-a climate-smart farming model targeting smallholder farmers. The program promotes early planting, use of organic fertilizers, and conservation farming techniques to boost productivity even under adverse climatic conditions.
In 2023, the government approved the use of climate-smart seed varieties-including drought-resistant maize, sorghum, millet, rice, and cotton-geared towards increasing adaptability to climate shocks.
Speaking to Connecting Africa, Blessing Phiri, co-founder of Agriacres, noted a steady transition to renewable energy, off-grid storage, and precision agriculture. "Several farmers are now using mobile apps, USSD platforms, drones, and satellite imaging. Others are adopting IoT sensors and central node systems with tangible yield improvements," he said.
Women in Agriculture Union (WAU) national coordinator Olga Nhari hailed the adoption of smart agriculture as a breakthrough for female farmers. "Women farmers are increasingly leveraging mobile and precision tools to monitor crop health, optimize irrigation, and predict weather-enhancing both yields and livelihoods," she said.
Beyond crop farming, Zimbabwe is targeting a US$3.4 billion livestock sector by 2025, with plans to grow the national herd from 5.7 million to 11 million by 2030 through climate-smart breeding of drought-tolerant livestock.
Co-founder of climate-resilient agribusiness Wenashe Farms, Wendy Zvakawapano, explained how technology has reshaped operations. "Hydroponics has tripled our yields per square meter while reducing water use by 90%. We've also cut energy costs through biogas integration, benefitting our employees and operations," she said.
According to Clive Munakandafa, Vice-Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (Matabeleland North), smart technologies are essential for sustainability. "With smart irrigation, sensors, and mobile forecasting tools, farmers can adapt water usage and planting schedules in real-time," he said.
Zimbabwe's agricultural evolution is not only about surviving climate volatility, but also about redefining itself as a competitive agricultural hub. In 2022, maize output hit 2.28 million tons, narrowly exceeding the national requirement of 2.2 million tons. This year, authorities are targeting 2.7 million tons, a potential return to food self-sufficiency and export viability.
Chief Mtshane Khumalo, President of the National Council of Chiefs, expressed optimism about the season's prospects. "Communities that planted early under the Pfumvudza program are expecting a bumper harvest," he told The Herald Online.
As Zimbabwe marches forward, the fusion of tradition and innovation may yet restore its contested but aspirational title as the Breadbasket of Africa.
In recent years, the country has accelerated its efforts to digitalize farming and build resilience against drought and erratic weather patterns, which have plagued agricultural production and livestock survival.
Launched in November 2021, the National AgriTech Strategy (2021–2025) marked a major milestone in modernizing Zimbabwe's agricultural ecosystem. The strategy aims to enhance evidence-based decision-making and integrate digital technologies across the farming value chain.
According to Farmonaut, a satellite-based crop health monitoring platform, solar-powered irrigation systems have already boosted crop yields in Zimbabwe by up to 30%. However, accessibility remains limited, with most advanced technologies such as drones, lithium-powered systems, and precision farming tools still largely confined to commercial farms due to high upfront costs.
Zimbabwe's agricultural sector has faced four severe drought seasons in the past decade, making the adoption of smart solutions a necessity rather than a luxury. Frequent power outages have also disrupted water supply systems critical for both communal and commercial agriculture.
To mitigate these challenges, the government introduced the Intwasa/Pfumvudza program in 2020-a climate-smart farming model targeting smallholder farmers. The program promotes early planting, use of organic fertilizers, and conservation farming techniques to boost productivity even under adverse climatic conditions.
In 2023, the government approved the use of climate-smart seed varieties-including drought-resistant maize, sorghum, millet, rice, and cotton-geared towards increasing adaptability to climate shocks.
Women in Agriculture Union (WAU) national coordinator Olga Nhari hailed the adoption of smart agriculture as a breakthrough for female farmers. "Women farmers are increasingly leveraging mobile and precision tools to monitor crop health, optimize irrigation, and predict weather-enhancing both yields and livelihoods," she said.
Beyond crop farming, Zimbabwe is targeting a US$3.4 billion livestock sector by 2025, with plans to grow the national herd from 5.7 million to 11 million by 2030 through climate-smart breeding of drought-tolerant livestock.
Co-founder of climate-resilient agribusiness Wenashe Farms, Wendy Zvakawapano, explained how technology has reshaped operations. "Hydroponics has tripled our yields per square meter while reducing water use by 90%. We've also cut energy costs through biogas integration, benefitting our employees and operations," she said.
According to Clive Munakandafa, Vice-Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (Matabeleland North), smart technologies are essential for sustainability. "With smart irrigation, sensors, and mobile forecasting tools, farmers can adapt water usage and planting schedules in real-time," he said.
Zimbabwe's agricultural evolution is not only about surviving climate volatility, but also about redefining itself as a competitive agricultural hub. In 2022, maize output hit 2.28 million tons, narrowly exceeding the national requirement of 2.2 million tons. This year, authorities are targeting 2.7 million tons, a potential return to food self-sufficiency and export viability.
Chief Mtshane Khumalo, President of the National Council of Chiefs, expressed optimism about the season's prospects. "Communities that planted early under the Pfumvudza program are expecting a bumper harvest," he told The Herald Online.
As Zimbabwe marches forward, the fusion of tradition and innovation may yet restore its contested but aspirational title as the Breadbasket of Africa.
Source - NewZimbabwe
