<p>Global freshwater resources face increasing strain from agricultural demands driven by population growth and climate change. This study investigates the water footprint (WF) of wheat production in Zimbabwe's Middle-Manyame sub-catchment (MMSC) to establish sustainable WF benchmarks and address the region's critical water scarcity challenges. A multiyear survey encompassing diverse farming systems—large-scale commercial (LSC), smallholder communal, and A1/A2 resettlement farms—was conducted, utilizing statistical and yield gap analyses to evaluate water use efficiency and productivity. The findings reveal an average WF of 1652&#xa0;m³&#xa0;t⁻¹ for wheat production in MMSC, with the potential to achieve a benchmark of 1482&#xa0;m³&#xa0;t⁻¹, translating to 10% water savings per ton of grain. Significant variability in WFs was observed across farming systems, with LSC and communal farms exhibiting lower WFs and higher productivity compared to A1 and A2 farms. Yield gap analysis highlighted exploitable yield gaps of 25–52%, primarily driven by resource input deficiencies and suboptimal management practices. This research uniquely integrates WF benchmarking with yield gap analysis, demonstrating the feasibility of tailored interventions to enhance water use efficiency. Recommendations include adopting science-based irrigation scheduling, optimizing fertilizer application, and targeting policy support for low-performing farming systems. By addressing these gaps, the study provides actionable insights into reducing agricultural WFs, supporting sustainable wheat production in water-scarce environments. The findings contribute to global efforts in sustainable agriculture, underscoring the importance of localized benchmarks for effective water management.</p>