ZWG 3 billion pumped into farm inputs distribution

Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]

GOVERNMENT has distributed agricultural inputs worth ZWG3 billion for the 2024/25 agriculture season as the sector is projected to recover from a 15 percent contraction in 2024, to grow by 12,8 percent next year.

The sector has already surpassed the initial target to contribute US$8,2 billion annually by 2025 after it grew 36,2 percent to US$8,19 billion last year.

Farming is a key economic pillar and the main source of livelihood for around 70 percent of the country’s population.

The sector’s contribution to Vision 2030 is rooted in various blueprints such as the Agriculture Recovery Plan, the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan, the Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan, and the Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Plan.

These are aimed at engendering a sustainable and inclusive agricultural transformation to achieve food and nutrition security, import substitution, value addition, employment creation, diversified exports, and improved household incomes and living standards.

In support of the expected rebound in agricultural output, interventions in the sector will be guided by the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy and Agriculture Recovery Plan.

To support these interventions, ZWG22,9 billion has been set aside for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development during 2025 to cover dam construction, irrigation development, Rural Development 8.0, contracting and procurement of grain for the Strategic Grain Reserve, National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme and the Agriculture Productive Social Protection Scheme.

Development partners are also expected to complement the Government’s support, by availing US$77,9 million in 2025 as this is expected to go towards drought mitigation and building resilience against climate change shocks, as well as, increased food production.

However, the contraction of the sector is likely to be lower this year, taking into account the expected higher winter wheat harvest than initially projected.

The rebound of the sector in 2025 is largely attributed to the anticipated La Niña weather phenomenon, which typically brings normal to above-normal rainfall.

Presenting the 2025 National Budget last Thursday, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the Government is financing the 2024/25 agriculture season through five schemes, namely, Government, NEAPS, Arda, private sector and self-financing.

The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme is targeting 1,1 million hectares for the production of cereals, cotton, oilseeds and pulses during the 2024/25 agriculture season.

So far, the Government has distributed inputs worth ZWG3 billion with maize seed accounting for ZWG532,2 million, sorghum seed (ZWG57,2 million), basal fertiliser (ZWG1,7 billion) and top dressing (ZWG687,6 million).

Prof Ncube said Arda, which is contracting and providing technical support to farmers at various communal irrigation schemes, in support of national food security, will be capacitated to meet the Government’s target of 500 000 metric tonnes of summer cereals from 100 000 hectares.

On NEAPS, he said it will mainly be financed through local financial institutions, while the Government will extend partial guarantees to AFC to finance commercial farming activities

As part of measures to mitigate the increased incidence of climate shocks and to ensure food security at household and national levels, the Government is implementing the National Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation Programme, which seeks to develop, rehabilitate, and maintain communal irrigation schemes and all major dams, as well as capacitating A2 farmers.

“The aim is to ensure that the country’s irrigation potential is fully exploited, in order to meet the national target of increasing functional irrigable land to 496 000 ha by 2025,” said Prof Ncube.

He noted that ZWG400,6 million will be availed for irrigation rehabilitation and development with a target to increase functional irrigation from the current 217 000 ha to 350 000 ha by exploiting the potential of existing dams.

In July Government unveiled a comprehensive plan for the 2024/2025 summer cropping season to revitalise the agriculture sector. Last season, the production of maize, a staple crop in Zimbabwe plummeted by a staggering 77 percent, creating a significant food and feed deficit.

The Crops, Horticulture, Fisheries, and Livestock Summer Plan: 2024/2025 is premised on the “build back better” principle, which seeks to strengthen the agriculture sector’s resilience against future shocks.

It outlines a systematic approach to sustain increased production and productivity, encompassing various agricultural enablers and fostering a multiplier effect.

Government has set an ambitious target of increasing overall crop production by 347 percent, from 914 848 tonnes achieved in the last drought-affected season to 4 093 700t in the 2024/2025 season.