PHI/Agrowth, the farm division of Innscor Africa Limited, invested $10.4 million in crops this season. They ensured key ingredients kept flowing to Innscor's food factories. A top company leader shared how this helps national food supplies. Innscor buys more Zimbabwean corn, soy products, and wheat than anyone else in the country. The company runs many food businesses, including National Foods Mills, Profeeds, Probrands, Irvine's, Buffalo Brewing Company, and Colcom.
The company teamed up with 199 farmers who planted about 6,800 acres of important crops under contract deals. Graeme Murdoch from PHI explained that this strengthens food supply chains and helps local farmers earn better money. Corn received most of the funding, at $8 million. This supported 4,804 acres with irrigation systems, 130 acres of commercial dry farming, and 132 acres where small farmers grow without irrigation. They put another $1.66 million toward soybeans across 1,231 acres.
Murdoch believes investing in local farming meets both business goals and supports Zimbabwe's food security needs. Their farm contracts maintain steady production levels when farmers receive proper tools and resources. This approach matches government rules asking private companies to fund at least 40% of yearly raw material needs through farmer contracts. PHI works as part of the Food Crop Contractors Association alongside Staywell, Delta, and Northern Farming groups. The summer growing season needed about $1.6 billion in total.
Last year's drought forced Innscor companies to import corn and soy throughout most of 2024. PHI bought roughly 40,000 tons of corn and 7,000 tons of soybeans from last season's summer harvest. They also contracted 53,000 tons of wheat from the 2024 wheat crop. Looking forward, they plan to grow wheat on 6,400 acres this winter. Murdoch mentioned the 2024-25 summer rains came late, with the first planting rains falling around mid-December for most areas.
Northern areas received enough rain for crops, but not enough runoff filled the dams to guarantee winter planting success. The PHI/Agrowth program helps farmers produce better yields through teamwork. Farmers gain access to money, seeds, fertilizer, and guaranteed buyers for their harvest. PHI wants to expand farming operations and increase crop investments as demand grows for local food products. They plan to grow more types of crops and build stronger partnerships with farmers.
PHI seeks better teamwork with independent contractors to establish reliable buying options for farm goods. This makes Zimbabwe's farming sector stronger and ensures steady supplies for Innscor's many food businesses. Murdoch emphasized how Innscor Africa's strategy meets company needs first but also lifts farming communities across Zimbabwe's broader economy.
The company teamed up with 199 farmers who planted about 6,800 acres of important crops under contract deals. Graeme Murdoch from PHI explained that this strengthens food supply chains and helps local farmers earn better money. Corn received most of the funding, at $8 million. This supported 4,804 acres with irrigation systems, 130 acres of commercial dry farming, and 132 acres where small farmers grow without irrigation. They put another $1.66 million toward soybeans across 1,231 acres.
Murdoch believes investing in local farming meets both business goals and supports Zimbabwe's food security needs. Their farm contracts maintain steady production levels when farmers receive proper tools and resources. This approach matches government rules asking private companies to fund at least 40% of yearly raw material needs through farmer contracts. PHI works as part of the Food Crop Contractors Association alongside Staywell, Delta, and Northern Farming groups. The summer growing season needed about $1.6 billion in total.
Last year's drought forced Innscor companies to import corn and soy throughout most of 2024. PHI bought roughly 40,000 tons of corn and 7,000 tons of soybeans from last season's summer harvest. They also contracted 53,000 tons of wheat from the 2024 wheat crop. Looking forward, they plan to grow wheat on 6,400 acres this winter. Murdoch mentioned the 2024-25 summer rains came late, with the first planting rains falling around mid-December for most areas.
Northern areas received enough rain for crops, but not enough runoff filled the dams to guarantee winter planting success. The PHI/Agrowth program helps farmers produce better yields through teamwork. Farmers gain access to money, seeds, fertilizer, and guaranteed buyers for their harvest. PHI wants to expand farming operations and increase crop investments as demand grows for local food products. They plan to grow more types of crops and build stronger partnerships with farmers.
PHI seeks better teamwork with independent contractors to establish reliable buying options for farm goods. This makes Zimbabwe's farming sector stronger and ensures steady supplies for Innscor's many food businesses. Murdoch emphasized how Innscor Africa's strategy meets company needs first but also lifts farming communities across Zimbabwe's broader economy.
