THE government has approved the 2026 Winter Production Plan that will support national development by focusing on wheat, Irish potatoes and barley production this 2025/26 agricultural season.
The 2026 Winter Production Plan is a key part of the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2) and serves as the sectoral implementation framework within the broader context of the National Development Strategy 2.
The Cabinet was presented with the 2026 Winter Production Plan on Tuesday.
“Cabinet considered and approved the 2026 Winter Production Plan, which was presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka,” the cabinet brief from Tuesday read.
“The 2026 Winter Production Plan is a key part of the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2), and serves as the sectoral implementation framework within the broader context of the National Development Strategy 2.
“The Plan aims to support national development by focusing on wheat, Irish potatoes, and barley production.”
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Cabinet revealed that building on the successes of the two previous seasons and record wheat production in 2025, the plan promotes rural industrialisation through value addition across the entire agricultural value chain.
Consequently, the plan aligns with AFSRTS 2 pillars that include sustainable production, climate resilience, rural industrialisation, market development and infrastructure enhancement.
“Accordingly, the available area for winter irrigation is estimated at 256 958 hectares, with 140 500 hectares designated for the production of wheat, Irish potatoes, and barley.
“Specifically, wheat will be cultivated on 125 000 hectares, barley on 6 500 hectares, and Irish potatoes on 9 000 hectares,” the Cabinet brief read.
“The Wheat Plan aims to produce 662 500 metric tonnes, surpassing the national annual requirement of 615 000 metric tonnes.
“Furthermore, barley production is projected to rise to 45 500 metric tonnes, while Irish potatoes production is projected to reach 243 850 metric tonnes.”
To ensure the successful implementation of the plan, the government will closely monitor 21 critical enablers, which include essential resources such as power, water, seed, fertiliser, and fuel.
“Financial support mechanisms encompassing farmer payments, financing and insurance; operational efficiency factors like mechanisation, co-ordination and contract farming; risk management strategies addressing migratory pests, land issues, security and veld fire management; capacity building, policy and regulatory frameworks, soil management, marketing and monitoring and evaluation will be tracked,” the Cabinet brief further read.
Food security initiative Famine Early Warning Systems Network (Fews Net) expects cereal grain prices to peak and then decline.
“Staple cereal grain prices are expected to peak during the lean season in February/March, then decline seasonally from April/May with the 2026 harvest,” Fews Net said.
“Grain prices are then expected to persist at levels similar to last year but below the five-year average through September.”
FEWS NET said typical grain flows from surplus- to deficit-producing areas were expected to remain very low or absent through the peak of the 2025/26 lean season in March, but maize meal will remain in most markets.
“Grain flows will likely remain low at harvest (April/May) and in the immediate post-harvest period as most households in deficit-producing areas are expected to rely on own-produced stocks; however, traders will be buying grain at low harvest prices for later sales,” Fews Net said.
“Flows are expected to increase later in the consumption year by July/August when own-produced stocks start to deplete and demand for maize begins to rise.”
Maize grain imports, mainly from South Africa, are expected to continue through the peak lean season in March owing to sustained demand, but will reduce from April/May with the incoming harvests.