malvernmugadzikwa
Word From The Market with Simon Pande
Agriculture is the anchor of economic development in Zimbabwe, contributing significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
The manufacturing sector gets most its raw materials from agriculture.
So, agricultural production, which directly impacts on employment creation and foreign currency earnings, is expected to significantly contribute to the realisation of an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
To achieve the envisaged contribution of agriculture to national development, it is important to holistically assess issues around sustainability of the sector.
The threat of recurrent droughts to sustainable agricultural production cannot be overemphasised. It is imperative for all stakeholders to develop mitigatory strategies to curb adverse effects of climate change associated with erratic rainfall and recurrent droughts.
The 2023/2024 cropping season is one of the worst for Zimbabwe and other Southern African countries.
The season was affected by the El Niño phenomenon, which led to a delay to the rainy season and severe drought in the Southern African Development Community region. Most households in the region are food-insecure due to the impact of climate change associated with the El Niño phenomenon.
President Mnangagwa has since declared a State of Disaster, paving the way for development of strategies to mitigate the impact of the drought.
According to the second-round Crop, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment Report, grain and cereal production was severely affected by the El Niño.
To ensure demand for both humans and livestock consumption is met, the Government has put in place various measures to close this gap, including increasing winter wheat production and grain imports.
One key lesson drawn from all this is the need for irrigation development.
Zimbabwe has a lot of water bodies, a situation that presents huge potential for irrigation development. The Government has continued to establish additional dams across the country to increase the number of water bodies available for irrigation development.
Zimbabwe recently hosted an irrigation investment conference, which brought in foreign and local investors.
The objective of the event was to create a platform for an exchange of ideas on irrigation development. In addition, it was intended to lure investors to provide funding for irrigation development. The Government has always partnered investors and development agencies that seek to improve and develop irrigation infrastructure.
A good example is the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme, which has seen the rehabilitation of existing irrigation infrastructure and development of new irrigation schemes.
An efficient irrigation system would result in agricultural production all year round. Success stories have been recorded following these interventions in irrigation development across the country.
The Banga Irrigation Scheme in Masvingo is a good example of the benefits of irrigation development.
Last year, it had a record wheat harvest, with an average yield of over five tonnes per hectare.
Overall, productivity at irrigation schemes is key to ensuring sustainability in agricultural production.
Efforts should be directed towards improving production and productivity.
It is also critical to ensure funding for rehabilitation remains available.
In that regard, the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) will play a critical role to ensure the various value chains get the best market, one with high returns.
The sustainability cycle in agricultural production cannot be complete without ensuring farmers get the best value for their products. It is on this note that AMA is on a drive to secure the best markets for farmers.
A number of offtake agreements have been signed and various engagements with regional and international markets are underway.
Simon Pande is a horticulture and livestock expert with AMA. Word From The Market is a column produced by AMA to promote market-driven production. Feedback: [email protected] or WhatsApp +263781706212.
Online Reporter