Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
Herald Reporter
Agriculture plays a critical role this year in driving Zimbabwe’s economic recovery and growth following the encouraging first round assessment report of crops, livestock and fisheries.
Speaking after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka summed up the prospects.
Reflecting on the dismal economic performance during last year’s drought, the worst in 43 years with only about a two percent national economic growth, Minister Masuka projected a promising nearly six percent annual economic growth this year, largely attributed to an expected stellar performance in the agricultural sector.
The minister’s remarks come at a time when the country is looking to recover from adverse weather conditions and bolster its economic foundations.
“In 2024 when we had the worst drought in 43 years the economic growth was two percent, and this year is projected at about six percent on account of expected stellar performance in agriculture and other sectors,” said Minister Masuka.
“So, agriculture has this drab effect on the economy which we saw last year, in a good season agriculture must have that push effect on the rest of the economy.
“Agriculture supplies 63 percent of the raw materials into the manufacturing sector, so it means raw materials will be available so that must ignite more production in the manufacturing sector.
“Agriculture is on its own an economic activity, so we know an increase in the volume of our exports like tobacco among others.
“We have seen that if there is good performance of agriculture in communal areas there will be purchasing power that will increase. I will say agriculture has a collateral effect on other economic areas,” said Minister Masuka.
The expected boosts in agricultural output are likely to enhance purchasing power in communal areas, further stimulating local economies.
For potential investors, Minister Masuka assured them that comprehensive prospectuses for investment opportunities were available.
“One can clearly see from this patent that our economic fortunes are tied to agriculture, when agriculture performs, the economy performs,” said Minister Masuka.
“So it means that there are investment opportunities in building resilience. At a ministry level we track 21 enablers in agriculture including finance, mechanisation, irrigation and much more.
“So, anyone who is willing to invest we can provide the overall prospectus for investment but building climate proofing agriculture will be the way to go,” said Minister Masuka.
He also advocated the full adoption of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa method, a scientifically proven approach aimed at increasing yields.
Minister Masuka counselled that the method is proven scientifically and anyone willing to increase yields should adopt it.
“Pfumvudza/Intwasa is a proven scientific method that increases yields, so whether you receive presidential inputs or not you must practice Pfumvudza/Intwasa. It is about sustainability.” The method is compulsory for small scale farrmers wanting to tap Government-supplied inputs.
