‘Prudent budget, hard work will deliver food security’

Prosper Ndlovu, Business Editor
THE Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa has exhibited a strong desire to transform the agriculture sector through increased National Budget support, which has inspired farmers to work hard on their fields in order to produce more for household food security and industrial consumption, stakeholders have said.

Starting with the 2021 National Budget, the target is to increase agriculture output to US$8,2 billion by 2025 and accordingly, $46,3 billion was allocated to Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement.

Agriculture remains central not only in driving economic growth but also on powering the industrialisation and value chains strategy.

Through timely distribution of inputs and enhanced extension services under the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy, Zimbabwe was able to capitalise on the good rains received in the last season to achieve a bumper harvest.

Latest reports indicate that over 600 000 tonnes of maize have so far been delivered to the Grain Marketing Board out of the estimated three million cereal grains that include small grains.

Even drought-prone provinces in the southern region, which cover Masvingo, the Midlands and the two Matabeleland provinces, have also recorded improved farm output including growth in livestock herd, according to the recent Crop and Livestock Assessment report.

The report, for instance, shows that even dry districts in Matabeleland South such as Bulilima, Gwanda, Insiza, Matobo and Umzingwane received a good harvest off maize and traditional grains, which will last more than 12 months.

In Matabeleland North Province, all districts save for Hwange were set to have enough maize and traditional grains supplies lasting for more than 12 months. In the Midlands, Gweru district has maize and traditional grains to last four to six months while Shurugwi and Mberengwa have maize and traditional grains to last 10 to 12 months. The rest have enough supplies for more than a year. Similar milestones were recorded in most parts of Masvingo districts.

The country has since suspended maize imports with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe saying this will cushion the economy by saving about US$300 million, which will be channelled to other pressing developmental needs.

As Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, prepares to present his Mid-Term National Budget Review statement tomorrow, stakeholders are optimistic the Treasury will consolidate the gains achieved so far in the agriculture sector and possibly scale up support to ensure another bumper harvest in the 2021/2022 season.

In the context of the disruption caused by Covid-19, more Government support will be needed in capacitating farmers in the southern region, in particular, through revitalising collapsing irrigation schemes, livestock restocking and enhancing access to key inputs.

“Agriculture is critical, and the National Budget affects farmers directly. Already farmers have been incapacitated by Covid-19 impact and are in dire need of a leverage to reach optimum production level,” said agronomist Mr Dingaan Ndlovu.

“Both livestock and cropping farmers need resources to procure critical inputs and the budget review must maintain a good package for farmers as well as keep in place duty free provisions for acquisition of key equipment.”

He urged the Treasury to ensure revitalisation of collapsing irrigation schemes in the region such as Makwe, Valley, Guyu and Silalatshani in Matabeleland South. This should be buttressed by budget mainstreaming technology and mechanisation while cushioning farming communities from exorbitant utility costs related to power and water, said Mr Ndlovu.

The planned completion of the Gwayi Shangani Dam this year, following the bulk of the allocation of $4,5 billion by the Treasury, is also expected to impact positively in terms of boosting irrigation farming, especially in Matabeleland North province.

Nkayi-South legislator, Stars Mathe, said the Government’s communal input support scheme has worked well under the Intwasa/Pfumvudza model in the last season, which she said has enhanced yields in her constituency.

“We have seen Government also providing motor bikes to agricultural extension officers here. However, more mechanisation support is needed and the budget has to cater for that,” she said.

“The budget should also facilitate for soil sampling to guide proper distribution of inputs so that those that are good on small grains focus and work hard more on that.”

Prominent farmer, Mr Winston Babbage, who is vice president of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU), said while farmers were excited by growing support from the Government, they expected more.

“We are happy with what Government is doing for the sector so far. Since Government has been importing maize in forex, our plea is that the budget should facilitate those maize deliveries be paid for in forex,” he said.

“This is important as farmers need forex to buy critical equipment such as tractors. Farmers are not exporting but have a forex expenditure component, which impacts on operations. Government should pay for maize, wheat and soya deliveries at least in forex.”

Given that livestock is a key economic pillar for the southern, farmers have urged the Government to ensure adequate finding to steer meaningful restocking and the revival of the Cold Storage Company (CSC).

The Ministry of Agriculture, has recently made strides in the national control of teak-borne diseases through enhanced dipping using allocated funds. However, farmers say more needs to be done to control Foot and Mouth Disease, which limits livestock trade and exportation of meat.

Under the National Development Strategy (ND1:2021-2022), a bridging blueprint towards Vision 2030, Government has pledged to focus more on enhancing assurance of national and household food security, creation of decent jobs as well as contributing towards sustainable industrial development.

These are to be achieved through climate-proofing the agriculture sector by investing in adoption of irrigation technology and transforming farmer mindset from subsistence orientation to taking farming as a business.

Going forward, the forthcoming and subsequent agriculture support should prioritise access and timely financing arrangements, mitigating against climatic change, guaranteeing viability and competitiveness of farming business and protecting the environment for sustainability of the sector, farmers say.

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