Zimbabwe’s potential to become the bread basket of Africa again may be possible. The country still possesses fertile soils and a favourable climate, and with the right support, the agricultural sector can be revitalized to once again become a major contributor to the country’s economy, providing food security for the nation and for Southern Africa. What is needed are investments in technology and infrastructure, support for smallholder farmers, encouraging private sector investment, and addressing climate change.
Zimbabwe has a long history of agriculture dating back to the 11th century when the Shona and Ndebele people began cultivating crops such as millet, sorghum, and corn. In the 20th century, the country became known as a major agricultural producer, particularly in the areas of tobacco, wheat, and maize (corn). The country’s fertile soils and favourable climate made it an ideal location for farming, and the government actively promoted and supported the agricultural sector. Under the former colonialist Ian Smith, who served as the country’s first Prime Minister, Zimbabwe or rather Rhodesia (pre-Independence) stood as one of Africa’s largest exporters of tobacco, maize, and other crops in the region. The country also had a thriving cattle industry, and was considered one of the most developed countries in Africa at the time.
However, in recent years, Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector has declined significantly. The country has been plagued by political instability and economic turmoil, leading to international sanctions primarily driven by England and other Western powers. This led to a lack of investment in the sector.
It’s important to note that the Lancaster Accords were developed by England to equitably redistribute land post-independence, however, the inability for the agreement to be in effect led to harsh land reforms in the early 2000’s.
Essentially, under the previous regime of the late Robert Mugabe, the founding father of Zimbabwe and and one of Africa’s freedom fighters, his land redistribution policies which took land from white commercial farmers to black Zimbabweans, resulted in the displacement of many experienced farmers and the loss of much of the country’s agricultural infrastructure. Additionally, the country has been hit by a series of droughts and floods, which have further damaged crops and livestock. As a result, agricultural production has significantly declined where today Zimbabwe is now a net importer of food.
Potential solutions to revive Zimbabwe’s agriculture
In order to increase productivity and efficiency in the agricultural sector, Zimbabwe must invest in modern technology and infrastructure. This includes investing in irrigation systems, mechanization, and seed production, as well as upgrading rural roads, storage facilities, and processing plants. These investments will not only improve the productivity of farmers, but also make it easier for them to get their products to market.
Many of the farmers in Zimbabwe are smallholder farmers, who often lack the resources and knowledge to improve their production. To address this, the government and other stakeholders should provide training and education to farmers on modern farming techniques, as well as provide them with access to inputs such as seed and fertilizer. Additionally, smallholder farmers should be given access to credit and financial services, so they can invest in their farms and improve their livelihoods.
To attract private sector investment in the agricultural sector, it’s necessary the government create an enabling environment for the private sector. This includes providing tax incentives and other forms of support for private sector investment in the sector. Additionally, policy makers should work to improve the legal and regulatory framework for the agricultural sector, in order to attract private sector investment.
For farmers to be able to invest in their farms and improve their production, the access to credit and financial services is a must. The need to improve access to credit for farmers, by creating a conducive environment for the development of microfinance institutions and other financial services providers is one of the only gateways that will enable economic growth.
Another threat impacting agricultural productivity, not only in Zimbabwe but across Africa is climate change. Addressing this issue is critical to reviving the sector. The recent COP27 discussions and creation of the Climate Finance Fund should alleviate some issues, if Zimbabwe is able to access it. Nevertheless, policymakers and stakeholders must collaborate to improve environmental resilience. By investing in drought-resistant crops, improving water management, and providing training to farmers on how to adapt to changing weather patterns, improvements in the sector stand to enhance productivity. In relation to this, is the potential for carbon offsetting by reducing the carbon footprint via investing in renewable energies and sustainable agriculture practices.
Benefits of a revitalized agricultural sector for Zimbabwe and the SADC region
A revitalized agricultural arena in Zimbabwe would bring numerous benefits to the country and the region as a whole.
First, a strong agricultural sector would provide food security for the population of Zimbabwe. As a net importer of food, the country is currently dependent on imported food, which can be vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply disruptions. By increasing agricultural production, the country’s ability to feed its own population would reducing the dependency on food imports and enable greater foreign exchange to be used on other more pressing areas.
Second, a strong agricultural sector would reduce unemployment. Agriculture is one of the largest employers in the country, and a revitalized sector would create jobs for both rural and urban populations. This would help to reduce poverty and increase economic stability by enabling greater GDP output, but also add to the tax revenue for the government to use funds for improving other areas.
Third, a revitalized agricultural sector would increase the country’s export potential. As a major agricultural producer, Zimbabwe’s potential for crop exports to other countries would increase foreign exchange earnings and contributing to national growth. This would also help to increase the country’s competitiveness in the global market.
Last, a strong agricultural sector would also have positive knock-on effects on other sectors of the economy. For example, a strong agricultural sector would lead to greater demand for goods and services such as transportation, storage, and processing. This would create jobs and economic opportunities in these sectors as well. The potential is enormous, but policymakers and stakeholders must agree and see a common vision that would enable the nation to grow, not one that is mired by self-interest and an opportunity to fatten one’s own pockets.
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