Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) is incorporating three million farmers into the National Farmer Database Management System (NFDMS) to enhance seamless integration and provide access to vital information, fostering growth and development within the agriculture sector.
Last year, during the pilot phase, AMA had 50 000 farmers in its database.
AMA vice board chair, Mr Munyaradzi Hwengwere, said this at the annual general meeting held recently in Harare.
“AMA’s mandate is to regulate for growth and it measures its impact with the activities on the ground. We are onboarding three million farmers and creating a market to connect them with both local and outside buyers,” he said.
While innovative NFDMS commenced in 2024, AMA is accelerating the development of other modules such as the Returns, Stop Order and Market Linkage.
“The NFDMS will have smart features such as a card, a unique registration number, geolocation features, ZESA metre numbers, stop order capabilities as well as market linkages functions.
“Several institutions and stakeholders should be able to tap into this system for seamless integration and access to critical information for the benefit and growth of the agriculture industry,” he said.
AMA said 2024 saw the country experiencing the worst El Niño drought in 43 years and affected agriculture production.
“Despite the drought, AMA still managed to perform without recording a deficit and with the good rains this year, the authority is expecting increased production in all agriculture value chains.
“It is important to mention that AMA is not a revenue-collecting entity, as has been said many times, that it is a levy collection agency, but was primarily created to improve people’s livelihoods,” he said.
Mr Hwengere said the authority will scout for value chain financing to support agriculture value chains such as sesame and livestock.
AMA reported a surplus of ZiG7.9 million through cost control measures as its revenue shrank from ZiG88.1 million in 2023 to ZiG48.2 million last year.
The 45 percent drop in inflows was a result of the El Niño-induced drought of the 2023/24 agriculture season.
AMA acting chief executive, Mr Jonathan Mukuruba, outlined the sectoral performance, saying cereal production declined 67 percent from 2,579 million tonnes in the 2022/23 season to 843 761 tonnes in the 2023/24 season.
“Cotton production dropped from 90,084 million kilogrammes in the 2022/23 season to 13,606 million kg last year.
“Total value of cotton was US$3,2 million and ZiG29, 8 million with drought and late payments affecting the sector,” said Mr Mukuruba.
On the other hand, 119 945 hectares were planted under wheat last year and 562 591 tonnes of the crop were achieved.
Under the livestock sector, 22 auctions were done, which saw 721 animals worth US$301 238 sold.
A total of 449 village business units (VBUs) were established, with 67 of them selling their produce, earning US$71 865.
AMA head of finance, Mr Titshabona Ncube, said registration and levy fees declined 25 percent from ZiG16 892 435 in 2023 to ZiG12 678 346 last year.
Grains and oilseeds, suppliers of agricultural inputs, horticulture, contractors and abattoir registration fees and levies were higher in 2024 than in 2023, a result of the Government’s policy measures to ensure that there was enough food to counteract drought.
The agricultural marketing fund (AMF) declined by 87 percent from ZiG25 331 643 in 2023 to ZiG3 369 822 last year, with cotton levy being the main culprit, accounting for ZiG24 895 824, a 98 percent mark.
AMA company secretary, Ms Nyengeterai Mangidza, said AMA board remained committed to providing the best possible strategic guidance for the authority to reach its full potential and effectively execute its mandate as laid out in the Agricultural Marketing Authority Act [Chapter 18:24].
