Zimbabwe moves closer to ending hard wheat imports as local seed research advances – Milling Middle East & Africa Magazine

ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe is moving closer to ending costly hard wheat imports as advances in local seed breeding improve the quality of wheat grown in the country, raising expectations that local production could soon meet the needs of millers and bakers.

The country has recorded strong wheat harvests in recent years. However, millers still import premium hard wheat because locally produced grain does not always provide the protein content and gluten strength needed to produce high quality bread and other baked products.

Official figures show Zimbabwe imported wheat worth about US$124.5 million in 2023, with the import bill rising to nearly US$135 million in 2024.

Seed Co Chief Executive Officer Morgan Nzwere said the company continues to invest in research to produce wheat varieties that meet international milling standards while performing well under Zimbabwe’s climate conditions.

“We will continue investing in wheat research and development to produce varieties that address current and future challenges facing farmers and the industry,” Nzwere said.

“We are adopting modern breeding technologies, including marker-assisted breeding, genomic selection, doubled haploid technology and speed breeding to shorten the time required to develop and release new varieties.”

He said the company aims to produce premium hard wheat locally.

“The objective is to develop hard wheat varieties that will ultimately eliminate the need for Zimbabwe to import hard wheat for the baking industry while ensuring farmers have access to high-yielding, climate-smart varieties,” he said.

The government also continues to support improved seed genetics and climate-smart farming as part of its food security plans.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said improved wheat varieties remain central to the country’s long term strategy.

“This wheat is both heat- and drought-tolerant. Our researchers are working tirelessly as we seek to ensure that our food security is not determined by weather or rain,” Jiri said.

“We want our agriculture systems to be adaptable to all changes while we ensure no one dies from hunger. This is the smartest way of climate-proofing our agriculture.”

He added that Zimbabwe should reduce its dependence on imported wheat and flour.

“The objective is to be self-sufficient through both winter and summer wheat. Farmers, schools and seed producers must all take advantage of these improved varieties and our irrigation programmes to contribute to national food security,” Jiri said.

Wheat breeder Jairos Masawi said recent breeding progress shows that wheat can deliver both strong grain quality and climate resilience, improving the country’s chances of reducing imports.

Zimbabwe’s efforts come as several African countries strengthen local grain production. In Senegal, the government has suspended new rice import approvals for one month to increase sales of locally produced rice and reduce growing stocks at rice mills.

Authorities will also require traders to buy set quantities of local rice before receiving new import approvals.

The government has fixed the purchase price for local rice at 280 CFA francs per kilogram (about US$0.49), while rice mills will receive support of 50 CFA francs per kilogram (about US$0.09) to help cover part of their processing costs.

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