Zimbabwe’s drive toward comprehensive agricultural transformation is increasingly anchored on establishing a robust financial architecture capable of funding both smallholder and commercial farming operations.

The critical role of agricultural financing models, their effectiveness, and persistent funding gaps are set to dominate deliberations among key stakeholders at the upcoming National Agriculture Conference and Expo (NACE) 2026.

The high-level conference will bring together policymakers, commercial financiers, development partners, and farmers to address long-term capital challenges across the value chain.

The government has identified structured agricultural financing as an essential catalyst for meeting national production goals, including placing one million hectares under cultivation, while accelerating climate resilience and national food security objectives.

Speaking on the country’s agricultural financing framework, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Professor Obert Jiri said that the third pillar of the agricultural strategy focuses specifically on mobilising and structuring funding for Pfumvudza/Intwasa and commercial farming operations, while responding to emerging climate-related challenges.

With droughts becoming more frequent and severe, financing models are being adjusted to accommodate climate-smart interventions.

These include increased support for soil liming, revised fertiliser application rates tailored to prevailing conditions, and the introduction of hydrogel technology in areas where moisture conservation is critical.

An adjusted Pfumvudza/Intwasa budget has already been developed to ensure smallholder farmers receive adequate support ahead of the upcoming season.

The programme continues to play a central role in boosting household food production and national grain output.

For commercial farmers, funding is being channelled through the National Agriculture Enhanced Programme, backed by leading financial institutions including AFC Commercial Bank, CBZ Bank, and NMB Bank.

The financing arrangements are designed to improve access to capital for crop and livestock production while ensuring farmers can invest in productivity-enhancing technologies.

The government is also expanding collaboration with the private sector to bridge financing gaps that have traditionally constrained agricultural growth.

This public-private partnership approach is expected to unlock additional capital, improve contract farming arrangements, and strengthen value chain financing.

At the centre of these efforts is the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), which the government is capacitating to serve as the country’s strategic food security agent.

ARDA has set an ambitious target of producing cereals on 100,000 hectares during the forthcoming agricultural season.

To meet this objective, ARDA is working closely with contractors, financiers and technical partners to secure inputs, mechanisation services and production financing.

Government officials say these arrangements are being monitored on a weekly basis to ensure funds are disbursed on time and production milestones are achieved.

These developments align directly with one of the major themes at this year’s National Agriculture Conference and Expo, where delegates will participate in a high-level panel discussion on Agricultural Financing Models, Effectiveness and Financing Gaps.

The session is expected to examine how existing financing mechanisms are performing, assess the accessibility of funding across different farming categories, and explore innovative solutions to close persistent financing gaps.

Discussions are also likely to focus on climate-smart financing, blended finance models, risk-sharing mechanisms, and strategies to attract greater private sector investment into agriculture.