Mnangagwa Vows to Process Local Produce as Zimbabwe Seeks to Diversify Agriculture

President Mnangagwa emphasized that agriculture remains the engine of industrialization in Zimbabwe's Second Republic, driving exports and ensuring food security.

At the opening of the 116th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, he stated that under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), all agricultural produce must be processed locally, as exporting raw materials is no longer beneficial to the country.

The President highlighted significant achievements in agriculture, including a 100% wheat self-sufficiency rate in 2023 and 2024, with a record harvest of 375,000 tonnes in 2025. He also mentioned that maize production increased by 2.3 million tonnes in 2025, restoring the Strategic Grain Reserve.

President Mnangagwa commended farmers, extension workers, financial institutions, input suppliers, and other stakeholders for their contributions to these success stories. He challenged various agriculture sub-sectors to shift towards increased high output, transformation, and value addition.