Zimbabwe has been increasingly integrating technology into its agricultural sector as part of efforts to overcome the challenges impacting its productivity. The adoption of agritech solutions such as mobile applications, precision farming tools, and climate-smart technologies has been central to the country’s strategy to digitalize its farming ecosystem and boost decision-making. This shift aims to improve overall productivity and adapt to the changing climate conditions affecting agriculture in the country.
In 2021, Zimbabwe launched the National AgriTech Strategy 2021-2025, which seeks to digitize the agricultural landscape, enabling evidence-based decision-making. A notable example of this effort has been the implementation of solar-powered irrigation systems, which have increased crop yields by up to 30%. This is particularly important given the recurrent droughts the country has faced over the past decade, which have negatively impacted both crop and livestock production. With a growing reliance on erratic rainfall, these technologies are increasingly seen as necessary for ensuring food security and improving agricultural outcomes.
However, the adoption of smart agriculture has not been without challenges. The high cost of acquiring advanced technologies, such as drones, solar panels, and lithium batteries, has limited access to these solutions. As a result, only a few commercial farmers can fully leverage these technologies, while smallholder farmers continue to face barriers to implementation. The Zimbabwean government has worked to address these issues, with initiatives like the Intwasa/Pfumvudza program launched in 2020. This climate-smart agricultural model aims to help smallholder farmers increase crop productivity, even in adverse weather conditions.
In addition, the Zimbabwean government has been encouraging the use of climate-smart seeds for crops such as maize, sorghum, and soybeans. These seeds are specially adapted to handle changing weather patterns, contributing to more reliable harvests. The integration of advanced tools such as drones for precision agriculture, satellite imaging, and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors has already yielded positive results for some farmers, particularly those utilizing precision farming services.
Agritech solutions are particularly benefiting female farmers in Zimbabwe. Women have been increasingly using mobile apps, precision farming tools, and climate-smart agriculture technologies to monitor crop health, optimize water use, and predict weather conditions. These tools have helped women improve their productivity, enhance decision-making, and ultimately improve their livelihoods. In addition, weather forecasting systems and soil moisture sensors are helping female farmers better adapt to climate challenges, which is critical for the country’s agricultural development.
Zimbabwe is aiming to reclaim its status as the “breadbasket of Africa,” a title it held until the early 2000s. The country has made strides in this direction, recording its highest output of maize in 2022, with 2.28 million tons harvested, surpassing the annual requirement of 2.2 million tons. This success is partly due to the government’s focus on encouraging climate-smart farming techniques, which have been particularly effective in improving maize production. The aim for 2025 is to achieve a maize output of 2.7 million tons.
The Zimbabwean government is also working towards developing a climate-smart livestock sector. By 2025, the country targets a US$3.4 billion livestock industry, which includes plans to double the national herd by 2030. The development of drought-resistant livestock breeds, facilitated by climate-smart breeding strategies, will be key to achieving this goal.
As Zimbabwe continues to embrace agritech, technology-driven solutions are not only improving productivity but also helping farmers better adapt to climate change, erratic rainfall, and power shortages. Innovations such as hydroponics, which can produce up to four times more yield per square meter than traditional soil farming, are already making a significant difference for agribusinesses. By reducing water usage and energy costs, these technologies are helping farmers become more sustainable while also improving their profitability. This ongoing technological transformation is essential for the future of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.
