By Tendai Chisiri
Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector is going for growth in terms of production output, Online Now News has learnt.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary, John Basera revealed this at a Wheat Field Day Thursday.
The permanent secretary is having field days across the country celebrating the wheat winter season 2023 with two field days held within a week.
One at Mema Estates, Zvimba District Mashonaland West with host farmer Francis Kriel Thursday while another with host farmer Yorke Kane in Mazowe District, Mashonaland Central Friday.
“Generally our agriculture is indeed going for growth in terms of productivity level, that is our production output. The country is food secure especially on the account a 50% rise growth in terms of maize production from 2021 up to 2022 period”.
“We saw a 58% growth in terms of maize, an output which is incredible,” permanent secretary said.
He also said it is so important with regards to issues around sustainability of growing and going for growth in the agricultural space.
” Our productivity level are going up especially the maize productivity. Looking at it before 2020, it was around 0.15 tonnes per hectare and now we are around 1.3 tonnes per hectare.
“We believe that if you grow your agriculture productivity by 10%, then you stand a chance to reduce poverty and empower communities by 7%”.
This is what the Vision 2030 entails, as it is about “leaving no one and no place behind” growing productivity level at household and farm levels and this is how we can build our agricultural economy,” added Basera.
There is the target of US$ 8.2 billion by 2025 in the agricultural economy but so far they are happy to have reached US$ 8.1 billion in a period of about 2-3 years.
“This is actually coming from a 36% growth in terms of overall agriculture economy from US$ 5.6 billion prior to 2022 now US$ 8.1 billion and of course our target,” he said.
“What we have envisaged to achieve in 5 years was managed to be attained in 2-3 seasons. But what is most encouraging especially this winter period is the participation from the private sector that is really awesome,” he added.
The private sector through the millers and processors contributed about 27% which is about 23 000 hectares of the 86 000 of wheat achieved this winter of 2023.
“This is actually a direct response to the government policy position where we are now compelling the private sector though banks and financial institutions to help in contract farming agreements, corporate farming and joint venture agreements,” said Basera.
“So the private sector through the banks and financial services engaging the millers and processors are indeed coming on board to support government efforts and thrust in terms of import substitution agenda,” added Bhasera.
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