This paper discusses the main challenges faced by Zimbabwe in attaining self-sufficiency in maize production. Being a staple crop, failing to achieve self-sufficiency in maize production would force the country to import maize thereby straining its limited foreign currency and crowding out more important imports like fuel and healthcare drugs. Focusing on experiences, views, and opinions from three districts in Mashonaland East province namely Marondera, Seke, and Goromonzi districts, the study sought to establish the main factors contributing to reduced maize production and productivity. From household surveys, observation, in-depth key informants, statistics, analysis of policy papers the major inhibitors of achieving self- sufficiency are politicization of agricultural programmes, ad hoc, piecemeal and discordant agriculture policing, and general lack of political willpower to improve both maize production and productivity. It is recommended that the government should avoid using of politically exposed persons in fronting agricultural programmes who seek political benefits at the expense of productivity. It’s further suggested that the government should fund upstream agricultural input producers which are easier and cheaper to monitor, supervise, and avoid individual farmer-targeted subsidies. The government should also establish, capitalize, and supervise a strategic maize hectarage that is under its direct control.

Keywords: maize self-sufficiency, producer price, agricultural subsidies, food imports, Zimbabwe