Private sector support vital for food security

Word From The Market with Peter Mudzimiri

ON April 3, 2024, President Mnangagwa declared the 2023/2024 agricultural season a State of Disaster due to the El Niño-induced drought that negatively affected yields in most parts of the country.

The season did not perform according to expectations, with more than 80 percent of the country having received below-normal rainfall. A total of 1 728 897 hectares were put under maize and the yield would have guaranteed national food security.

The Government has, thus, allowed the importation of maize by private players with free funds to enhance food security for Zimbabweans. The private sector’s response through maize imports has been commendable and will go a long way in alleviating the nation’s plight.

Coupled with other measures being put in place by the Government and the call for all stakeholders to mobilise resources to ameliorate the effects of the drought, the country is geared towards food sufficiency.

The Government has rallied all stakeholders, including the diaspora, United Nations agencies and the international community, to participate in the disaster management activities. The current adopted consumption rate of 7,5 kilogrammes per person per month for social welfare food distribution will be adjusted around October 2024 to 8,5kg, hence the need for stakeholder complementary efforts.

The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) is charged with the responsibility of registering all grains and oil seed traders, in line with provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Authority (Grain, Oilseed and Products) By-laws, 2013 (Statutory Instrument 140 of 2013).  Every individual or entity intending to undertake the business of trading in any grain or oilseed or by-product must first register with AMA.

Certificates of registration as a trader or broker are issued depending on the level of trade or import quantities involved. It ranges from small-scale to large-scale tradership. Identification documents for individuals and certificates of incorporation for legal entities, tax clearance and a National Social Security Authority compliance certificate are required for registration. The certificate of registration as a trader is then presented to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development for purposes of applying for an import permit.

Following the declaration of the State of Disaster, there has been a considerable increase in the number of entities registering to participate in the importation of maize.

In only over a month, AMA has registered 208 grain and oilseed traders who are participating in the importation of maize, compared to 134 during the same period last year.  More players continue to come on board. Between January and February 2024, the country imported a total of 281 439 tonnes of maize worth US$85,67 million. The response by the private sector has been hailed and this has resulted in the availability of maize and mealie meal in almost all parts of the country, although more effort is still required to feed the nation.

Despite the drought setback, the Government remains resilient in its quest for food self-sufficiency and nutrition, led by Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka.

The ministry and its agencies, with support from other stakeholders, have remained resolute in efforts to turn agriculture into a US$13,75 billion industry by 2025.

One of the key strategies aimed at addressing the El Niño scourge is to use wheat as the basis for an emergency food security strategy. No wonder the plan to leverage on the country’s comparative and competitive advantage of winter wheat production. Efforts are being made to target at least 600 000 tonnes of wheat this winter.

This is in addition to the approval of a waiver of duty on rice and potato seed imports, and also the importation of genetically modified maize for stock feed, under strict supervised milling and distribution conditions. Rice and potatoes will be considered key staples to ensure national food security.Private players are advised to continue to support Government efforts for national food security, with the import permit processes having been streamlined for ease of doing business.

No one should die of hunger. As is always the case, no person and no place should be left out in this instance. On the same note, AMA wishes to advise all traders of the need to provide returns, which are important for planning and policy development, as the country continues to put in place measures for accelerated agricultural development.

Peter Mudzimiri is AMA head of compliance and corporate secretary. Word From The Market is a column produced by AMA to promote market-driven production. Feedback: [email protected] or WhatsApp/Call +263781706212.