Zimbabwe has sealed a new phase of agriculture cooperation with Guyana, placing food production, value chains and water management at the centre of bilateral talks during a Caribbean diplomatic tour, as global food security pressures continue to reshape international partnerships.
Zimbabwe’s Special Envoy, Professor Amon Murwira, held discussions with Guyana’s agriculture minister on Thursday, with both sides agreeing to deepen their agriculture partnership across key sectors, according to a statement posted by Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X.
Agriculture drives diplomacy and growth
The agreement reflects Zimbabwe’s broader strategy to anchor diplomacy in economic outcomes, using Zimbabwe–Guyana agriculture cooperation to advance food security, industrial growth and build support for its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Food security anchors national agenda
Speaking after the meeting, Prof. Murwira said Zimbabwe’s development trajectory is increasingly shaped by its push for food self-sufficiency, which he described as essential to long-term economic transformation.
‘A food-secure country can involve itself in many other developmental trajectories,’ he said, adding that agriculture remains the foundation of industrialisation.
Zimbabwe has made notable progress in recent years, particularly in wheat production. Alongside Ethiopia, it is now among African countries that have achieved wheat self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening domestic supply chains — a shift also explored in Africa Briefing’s analysis of Africa’s food security strategy.
Production gains boost confidence
The country has also expanded its livestock and dairy sectors. Milk production has risen from under 80 million litres in 2017 to more than 130 million litres, reflecting sustained investment in agricultural systems.
Officials say these gains position Zimbabwe to share expertise and build mutually beneficial agriculture cooperation frameworks across the Global South, amid a wider shift towards regional self-sufficiency.
Guyana emerges as strategic partner
Guyana, which produces approximately one million tonnes of rice annually, was identified as a key partner with complementary strengths in agriculture.
Discussions focused on collaboration in wheat production, with Zimbabwe’s seed development systems seen as a potential area of support. Both sides also explored opportunities in agro-processing and agricultural value chains to enhance productivity and create sustainable industries.
‘We have agreed to move beyond discussion and ensure implementation,’ Murwira said, noting that technical teams would now develop concrete projects.
The move mirrors a broader shift towards South-South cooperation, as emerging economies deepen trade and development partnerships across the Global South.
