Zimbabwe's winter crop
Wheat in Zimbabwe is primarily a winter crop, planted between May and July and harvested between September and November. Unlike rain-fed summer crops, wheat requires irrigation, making it capital-intensive. The crop is grown under centre-pivot and flood irrigation systems across commercial farms, ARDA (Agricultural and Rural Development Authority) estates, and smallholder irrigation schemes.
Where wheat is grown
Major wheat-growing regions include Mashonaland (West, East, and Central), Manicaland, and the Midlands. In 2024, ARDA Joint Ventures led planting efforts contributing 46,214 hectares. AFC Holdings contributed 16,362 hectares, and PIP contributed 10,541 hectares. Mashonaland West recorded the highest hectarage in 2024.
Wheat varieties
Zimbabwe has benefited significantly from the introduction of the SAVE wheat variety, developed by ICARDA (International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas) in partnership with Zimbabwe's Department of Research and Specialist Services (DRISS). Released in 2022 and adopted in 2023, SAVE has shown impressive yields and climate resilience.
The government, through TAAT (Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation), continues to work on improving wheat varieties for local conditions, particularly targeting higher protein content and heat tolerance. Traditional varieties are also grown alongside newer introductions.
The quality gap
Locally grown wheat consistently has lower gluten and protein content than imported wheat, making it unsuitable for bread production without blending. The desired ratio for bread flour is 70% local wheat and 30% imported hard wheat from Russia, Canada, and Australia. However, local wheat is well-suited for biscuit flour, pastry flour, and other products not requiring high gluten strength.
Breeders and researchers are working to develop higher-protein wheat varieties adapted to Zimbabwean growing conditions. Until then, the blending requirement means some wheat imports will remain necessary even as domestic production continues to grow. See the trade and imports page for more detail.
Contract farming and support
Wheat production is largely organised through contract farming arrangements. Key contractors include AFC Holdings, ARDA, CBZ AgroYield, and various irrigation schemes. The government has ring-fenced electricity for wheat irrigation - initially 100 megawatts, later increased to 150 megawatts - and promoted solar energy for farmer self-sufficiency.
The Accelerated National Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Programme (ANIRDP) and the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalization Program (SIRP) have supported expanded irrigated wheat growing, enabling the sector's remarkable growth.
The path to self-sufficiency
Zimbabwe's wheat production surged from 95,000 tonnes in 2020 to 555,824 tonnes in 2024. The country now produces more wheat than its domestic demand of approximately 360,000 tonnes, though quality constraints mean imports are still necessary for bread flour blending. According to the latest production data, Zimbabwe is now Africa's second-largest wheat producer after Ethiopia, a transformation achieved in just four years through irrigation investment and contract farming support.