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Prosper Ndlovu Business Editor
VICE-President Phelekezela Mphoko says robust “national dialogue” is needed to tap private sector financing in resuscitating processing industries and creating more job opportunities.
The government is concerned about the general decline in investment in distressed food processing companies, VP Mphoko said in a speech read on his behalf by his Permanent Secretary, Thabani Ndlovu, during the Zimbabwe Food Conference and Expo in Bulawayo on Friday.
He said challenges facing the agriculture value chain have a destabilising effect on the entire national economy.
VP Mphoko said developing pro-poor policies and strategies to address production challenges would provide the desired short and long term solutions to sustainable development and poverty alleviation.
“All this means, therefore, that the role of the business sector is crucial both in the short and long term.
“There’s a need for private sector to continue to answer to government call for self-sufficiency in the production of staples and provision of food in Zimbabwe and enunciated in Zim-Asset,” he said.
“This is a key strategy in inter-alia, reducing the import bill and re-correcting the country’s national current account.”
The VP affirmed the government’s commitment in revitalising the agriculture sector, especially crop and livestock farming and pledged budgetary support for this.
He said serious reforms were needed in supporting parastatals such as the Grain Marketing Board and Agribank to assist small-scale farming schemes.
Vice-President Mphoko said the demise of manufacturing companies also has a negative effect on agriculture viability as it impacts on demand for farm produce.
He added that managing imports was also difficult because of food security inefficiencies that result in an influx of foreign products.
“This is why national dialogue on these issues is important. The government will maintain an open door policy in respect to dialogue on key national issues,” said the VP.
He implored interested parties to bring more evidence to challenge policy issues the government needs to address.
“The government and the private sector must continue to work together to contain inflationary pressures of food products, especially basic commodities such as meat, maize meal, bread and others,” he said.
VP Mphoko said contract farming remains a viable option for improved productivity and urged participants to make suggestions towards accelerating its implementation.
“I need concrete recommendations on what parastatals need to do in order to accelerate the recovery of agriculture and the food sector. I need that kind of analysis especially with focus on GMB, ARDA, CSC and AMA,” he said.
Online Reporter