ZETDC ring-fences 150MW to power winter wheat farming

In a major boost for Zimbabwe's agricultural sector, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has ring-fenced 150 megawatts (MW) of electricity specifically for winter wheat farming. The move is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted power supply during this critical production season, which is heavily reliant on irrigation and mechanised operations.

The guaranteed energy allocation comes at a time when wheat farmers across the country are actively engaged in planting and irrigating fields to meet the government's ambitious target of 600,000 tonnes of wheat for the 2025 winter season. The country requires about 360,000 tonnes of wheat annually for domestic consumption.

"ZETDC is ensuring support of the winter wheat season by ring-fencing 150 MW of electricity for wheat farming, recognising electricity as a crucial input for winter wheat production," the power utility said in a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

This strategic intervention underscores ZETDC's commitment to enhancing agricultural resilience and supporting national food security objectives. The consistent supply of power will be key to the successful operation of irrigation systems, which are essential for maintaining optimal soil moisture and crop growth during the winter season.

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development are also playing key roles in the initiative, ensuring that water availability aligns with the secured electricity supply. Their collaboration is aimed at removing bottlenecks that often threaten yields in key cropping seasons.

Agricultural stakeholders have welcomed the move, describing it as timely and critical to boosting production.

"Energy is as vital as seed and water in winter wheat farming," said one commercial farmer in Mashonaland West. "This allocation will give farmers the confidence to go full scale without fearing unexpected power cuts."

The government has been pushing for increased local wheat production to reduce reliance on imports, a move spurred by global supply disruptions and rising prices in recent years. Last year, Zimbabwe achieved a record harvest of over 400,000 tonnes, and authorities are banking on this season's stable input supply to push output even higher.

As farmers across Zimbabwe switch on irrigation pivots and pumps this winter, the dedicated 150 MW stands as a vital enabler, lighting the path toward food self-sufficiency and economic resilience.