Source: Japan extends US$2,6 million agricultural equipment facility to Zimbabwe – herald
Oliver Kazunga
Senior Reporter
JAPAN has extended a US$2,6 million agricultural equipment facility to Zimbabwe in a major boost to food production, with a strong focus on scaling up local rice output and reducing import dependence.
The support, unveiled in Harare today under the Economic and Social Development Programme for Agricultural Equipment Assistance, is expected to enhance productivity, modernise farming systems and strengthen climate resilience.
The Exchange of Notes was signed by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube and Japan’s envoy to Zimbabwe Ambassador Nobutaka Maekawa, marking another milestone in deepening cooperation between the two countries.
Under the programme, Zimbabwe will receive modern agricultural equipment aimed at improving efficiency across key value chains, with particular emphasis on advancing rice production technologies.
Prof Ncube said the intervention was timely as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to strengthen food security and cushion citizens from climate shocks and global disruptions.
“This support will go a long way in advancing rice production technologies, thereby cushioning citizens from the negative impacts of climate shocks and geopolitical developments,” he said.
“Zimbabwe is set to benefit from a grant of Japanese Yen 400 million (approximately US$2,6 million) to support the procurement of agricultural equipment for rice production.”
Prof Ncube said global conflicts and climate change were negatively affecting food systems, making it critical for countries to invest in research and new technologies to improve productivity.
Food security, climate resilience and environmental protection are among the key priorities under the National Development Strategy 2, with the Government scaling up investment in agriculture to build a more resilient sector.
He highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the Rural Development 8.0 programme, which promotes Village Business Units linking farmers to markets, as well as the expansion of the Strategic Grain Reserve through the construction of additional storage silos.
The Government is also implementing the Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Plan to climate-proof agriculture and ensure consistent production.
Zimbabwe has seen growing demand for rice, particularly among younger consumers, with most of the commodity currently being imported — a situation authorities are seeking to reverse through increased local production.
Amb Maekawa said the programme would enhance productivity, strengthen food security and support sustainable economic growth.
He noted that changing weather patterns driven by climate change, coupled with rising demand for rice, have made increasing local production an urgent priority.
“Most of the rice domestically consumed is imported, making it critical to boost local output and strengthen resilience against future food insecurity,” he said.
The initiative builds on Japan’s long-standing support to Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has funded irrigation development and smallholder farming projects.
Between 2015 and 2019, Japan provided US$16 million in grant aid for irrigation development in Nyanga District, benefiting about 560 smallholder farmers, while the Zimbabwe Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (ZIM-SHEP) project has strengthened market-oriented farming across the country.
The latest assistance is expected to accelerate agricultural modernisation, boost domestic rice production and reduce reliance on imports, while reinforcing strong bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Japan.
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