Under a special programme, government will identify farms that will be required to produce maize for the next three years. It aims to reduce grain imports and improve food security. 

Zimbabwe says it will finance seed, chemicals, equipment including tractors and irrigation on a cost recovery basis.

“The program targets at least 2million metric tonnes of maize grain on 400 000 hectares of land. At least half of the land will be under irrigation,” says Zimbabwe’s Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Each farmer will be required to produce a minimum of 5 tonnes per hectare to pay back the loan.  Identification of the 2000 farmers will begin immediately.

“The farmers participating in this programme should sign a performance contract for three consecutive summers, growing all farms near water bodies shall be considered under this programme,” says Agriculture Minister, Joseph Made.

Government statistics show that national food insecurity has risen from an average of 12% in 2011 to 42% in 2016 where four million people need food aid. Maize production has declined to 700 000 metric tonnes a year, a third of production 10 years ago.  The state's late payments of delivered grain have forced farmers to produce more lucrative crops such as tobacco.

Zimbabwe says those producing other crops successfully will not be forced to go into the scheme. 

“We are not planning for failing, but if a farmer is near water and does not want to go into the scheme we will put them where there is no water, and put those who can cooperate near water because they want to farm,” says Mnangagwa.

Zimbabwe says it has five months of grain cover secured through imports and local purchase. It says more imports are coming over the next two months where demand for grain is expected to peak.

--sabc--