The Sunday Mail
Farai Muroiwa
Marapira
AGRICULTURE is the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy.
It employs over 67 percent of the country’s population and contributes 16 percent of Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the World Bank.
Agriculture in Zimbabwe has a long history, which dates back to pre-colonial times, when indigenous farming practices were adopted by the Shona and Ndebele tribes.
Today, Zimbabwe is known for its fertile soils, abundant water resources and favourable climatic conditions that support a wide range of crops and livestock production.
The main crops grown in Zimbabwe include maize, tobacco, cotton, wheat and sugarcane, while livestock production includes cattle, goats, sheep and pigs.
Over the years, Zimbabwean farmers have shown great resilience in the face of challenges brought about by the illegal sanctions.
Regardless, they have continued to produce crops and livestock to meet the country’s food needs and export requirements.
The Government has also taken steps to support the agriculture sector through initiatives such as Command Agriculture (now National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme) and Pfumvudza/Intwasa — which provide farmers with inputs, equipment and technical support to boost production.
From 2017, Zimbabwe, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, implemented a revamped agricultural policy aimed at increasing productivity and revolutionising the sector.
The policy interventions include measures such as boosting mechanisation, improving irrigation and providing smallholder farmers with access to credit and markets.
Other initiatives include the establishment of agricultural colleges and research institutes to train farmers on modern farming techniques and conduct research on crop and livestock improvement. President Mnangagwa launched the US$51 million Belarus Farm Mechanisation Phase One programme in September 2020, after being impressed by the modernity of Belarus’ agriculture sector, a development that helped vitalise his vision for a food-secure Zimbabwe.
The first phase of the Belarus Farm Mechanisation initiative saw the delivery of 474 tractors, 60 combine harvesters, 210 planters and five low-bed trucks.
The equipment was distributed to Government institutions such as the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) and other individual beneficiaries through local banks, and this augmented the 2022/2023 tillage and harvesting capacity by between 50 000 hectares and 60 000 hectares.
The second phase of the Belarus Farm Mechanisation — worth US$66 million — supplied the country with 1 635 tractors, 16 combine harvesters, boom sprayers and five disc harrows.
The equipment was distributed to creditworthy farmers through local banks.
The programme managed to put the nation on course to achieving the US$8,2 billion agriculture industry in 2022, after it was initially envisioned to be attained by 2025, a feat that is both legendary and unparalleled.
As the Government works to implement its agricultural reforms, many are wondering if Zimbabwe can follow the example of successful socialist countries that have achieved remarkable results in agriculture, especially after a successful Land Reform Programme, which corrected colonial imbalances and handed the means of production to the black majority. Cuba, for example, has pioneered a successful model of urban and community-based organic farming, while China has transformed its traditional agriculture sector into a modern, high-tech industry.
One key factor that contributed to the success of these countries is their strong commitment to sustainable and equitable development, a feature that is glaringly present in the Zimbabwean agricultural development programme envisioned by President Mnangagwa.
In Cuba, for example, the government’s focus on organic farming helped to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilisers, while also promoting community ownership of land and resources.
Similarly, in China, the state’s support for smallholders and collective farming has proven crucial in boosting productivity and food security.
And by adopting these measures, Zimbabwe has managed to break a 56-year record by producing 375 000 tonnes of wheat.
Equally, Zimbabwe quashed the maize yield record set in 1984 by harvesting more than 2,7 million tonnes of the grain, opening opportunities to export 40 000 tonnes to Rwanda. This the country’s first maize export in 22 years. Another important factor is the role of technology.
In China, for illustration, the government has invested heavily in agricultural technology, including the development and use of drones and other modern agricultural techniques. These efforts have helped to boost yields and reduce waste, while also improving the quality and safety of food. By drawing lessons from successful countries such as Cuba and China, Zimbabwe is charting a path towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Brazil and Zimbabwe may be continents apart, but the two nations share some striking similarities in their approach to development.
In the 1960s, Brazil, under the leadership of President João Goulart, embarked on a series of ambitious development projects aimed at modernising the country’s economy and infrastructure.
The government invested heavily in industries such as steel, oil and electricity, and implemented a range of social welfare programmes aimed at reducing poverty and inequality.
In the past five years, Zimbabwe received a multi-million-dollar investment from the Chinese-owned Dinson Iron and Steel Company, which is constructing a US$1 billion iron and steel plant that is envisaged to be one of the biggest in Africa.
Apart from creating in excess of 10 000 direct jobs, such an investment signals President Mnangagwa’s legendary rural-led development.
Power generation has massively been improved with the construction of Hwange Power Station’s Units 7 and 8, which will be augmented by small power generation stations positioned at each of the high-impact dams under construction.
Availability of steel and energy are enablers of a viable agriculture sector.
Brazil’s development model helped to transform the country from a largely rural nation to a major economic power, while Zimbabwe’s recent reform efforts have led to a significant increase in foreign investment and a modest increase in economic growth.
Zimbabwe, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, has introduced a raft of policies aimed at modernising the country’s economy and reducing poverty.
These include the establishment of special economic zones designed to attract foreign investment, ambitious infrastructure projects such as the construction of a new international airport and implementation of a range of social welfare programmes aimed at providing support to vulnerable populations. The construction of 12 high-impact dams in all of Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces feeds into the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
It represents a signature strategy by Zimbabwe’s leadership that is paying dividends through the expansion of land under irrigation from around 197 000 hectares to the targeted 350 000 hectares, a move that will ensure that Zimbabweans will never go hungry.
In the livestock sector, the country has introduced several initiatives to improve production and management.
These initiatives include the introduction of vaccines to control diseases, improved breeding programmes and better management schemes.
In doing this, the Government launched the Command Livestock Programme, which is aimed at promoting animal production through the provision of training, finance and inputs to farmers. These programmes are playing a significant role in improving Zimbabwe’s national herd.
In conclusion, it is essential to note that, under the Second Republic, shepherded by President Mnangagwa, development of Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector has been a success, with food security guaranteed.
Farai Muroiwa Marapira is the ZANU PF Director of Information and Publicity.
