THE Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida) is promoting three transformative agricultural ventures aimed at revitalising rural economies, enhancing food security, and attracting fresh capital into the country’s farming value chains.
The projects span beef and dairy farming, agro-processing, and crop diversification, and are expected to stimulate job creation and value addition across multiple provinces.
Agriculture remains the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy supporting 70% of the population, contributing 23% of formal employment, supplying 63% of raw materials to local industries, generating 30% of export earnings, and accounting for 15% of economic activity.
In the drought-prone Matabeleland South province, Agro Strong (Pvt) Ltd is spearheading a livestock project.
The company has secured 5 500 hectares for a vertically integrated beef and dairy operations, targeting national supply shortfalls in meat and milk.
“There is strong investment potential in Zimbabwe’s livestock sector,” Zida highlighted in its 2025 Projects Report.
“The country has a beef supply gap of between 25% and 40%, largely due to low slaughter throughput.
“On the dairy side, local production meets only half of the annual demand of 140 million litres, revealing immense opportunities for expansion.”
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Operational since 2021, the brownfield investment builds on existing infrastructure and targets the acquisition of 4 500 to 5 000 breeding cows to produce 3 000 calves annually in the short term.
“Long-term plans include establishing feed production and export-compliant abattoirs, positioning the project to tap into premium markets in the EU [European Union], Sadc and the Middle East,” Zida said.
Financial projections include revenue of US$6 million, a 40% gross profit margin, 25% net profit margin, 14% annual return on investment (ROI), and a US$3,5 million net present value (NPV).
The project has a four-year payback period.
A liberalised beef market environment is expected to support competitive pricing and improve market access for producers.
In Mashonaland East, Zida is promoting the Goromonzi Agro-Processing Industrial Park as a flagship Special Economic Zone for rural industrialisation.
The 1 718-hectare site will include mixed farming units, agro-processing facilities, solar-powered infrastructure, and logistics support services.
“This greenfield project will host a modern agro-industrial complex, with the first phase covering 1 025 hectares ready for immediate development,” Zida said.
Designed to attract agri-tech investors under an EPC+F [Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing] model, the project will benefit from proximity to water sources, raw materials from nearby farming communities, and abundant solar energy.
“Key financials include a land value of US$1,5 million, total development costs of US$36,9 million, an expected developer profit of US$20,8 million, NPV of US$12,9 million, an internal rate of return of 47% and a five-year payback period.”
In the country’s eastern and southern regions, Mossfield Farms (Pvt) Ltd is expanding a diversified farming enterprise that incorporates climate-smart practices, crop and citrus production, livestock, and renewable energy.
With over 15 000 hectares across Hwedza, Makoni, and Chiredzi, the farm leverages fertile soils and solar-powered irrigation to scale up output.
“This is a mature agribusiness operation already producing soybeans, maize, barley, and sugar beans, with new ventures in sugarcane and citrus,” ZIDA reported.
“Expansion plans include dairy and poultry farming, along with investments in renewable energy.”
The company is seeking US$10 million in funding for expansion, irrigation systems, poultry infrastructure, and operational support.
Projected returns include US$1,2 billion in revenue, a 38% gross profit margin, 25% net profit margin, 20% ROI, and a US$130 million NPV.
The project has a six-year payback period.
Together, these projects have an estimated revenue of at least US$1,2 billion one they are fully realised.
These agricultural ventures signal Zimbabwe’s renewed commitment to reindustrialising its rural economy, strengthening food systems, and positioning agriculture as a magnet for private sector investment.
