Grain and Oilseeds Revolution Breakfast Meeting

The meeting was convened against a backdrop of heightened global geopolitical uncertainty and repeated supply chain disruptions, which have exposed the risks of reliance on food imports. Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing global conflicts have underscored a critical reality: food import dependence is a national security vulnerability.

Zimbabwe currently spends over US$2 billion annually on agricultural imports, a significant proportion of which can be competitively produced locally. In response, the Government of Zimbabwe has prioritised self-sufficiency in grains and oilseeds and the domestication of key agricultural value chains as both an economic and security imperative. Central to this shift is Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025 (SI 87), which restricts imports of selected grains and oilseeds to stimulate domestic production and accelerate agro-industrial growth. The SI was met with fierce criticism due to fear around financing of the grains and oil seeds, logistical challenges around securing maize from farmers and questions around availability of maize.

In view of the foregoing observation, AEDS, with the support of AMA, undertook a deep dive and a 360 degrees research on the grains and oils sectors with a view to showcase the state of the grains and oils subsector, major developments in the sector, robust review of the existing policies (including SI 87 of 2025), opportunities, challenges and possible remedies.

This research paper was presented in a closed-door breakfast meeting. Key stakeholders in the ecosystem of the grains and oil seeds value chains which inter alia include Ministries, Departments and Agencies and actors in the respective value chains attended this meeting.

The Honourable Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, who was the guest of honour was represented by Professor Jiri, reflecting strong political commitment to the localization agenda and government’s openness to constructive dialogue.

Time: 08:00 – 13:00

Venue: Rainbow Towers, Harare