Govt Ring-fences 155 MW Of Electricity For Record Wheat Harvest

The Government says it has increased electricity supply for winter wheat production this season to 155 megawatts, an 8% rise from last year.

The move is part of a push to secure a record 662,000-tonne harvest and boost Zimbabwe’s drive towards long-term food self-sufficiency.

Zimbabwe is targeting 125,000 hectares under winter wheat this year, up from 122,142ha planted in 2025.

Last year, the country produced a record 642,000 tonnes, well above the annual requirements of 350,000 to 450,000 tonnes.

Responding to questions from Zimpapers last week, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Anxious Masuka said the increased electricity allocation was the result of joint planning between the agriculture and energy sectors.

“When we planned for the winter season, we targeted 125 000ha, which will produce 662 000 tonnes. We co-planned with the Ministry of Energy and Power Development and we have an energy-agriculture working group,” said Masuka.

“This year, 155MW will be made available, and there is ring-fencing of that power, and we heard today that the country is generating between 1 700MW and 1 800MW.”

Masuka said the power will go to organised production clusters to keep irrigation running without interruption through the season.

“The expectation is that there will be sufficient power, and that’s the promise that we have from the relevant ministry, and it is power that we watch daily,” he said.

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