ZIMBABWE'S agricultural sector is providing 60% of the raw materials needed by the country’s manufacturing sector, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary John Basera has said.
“The (agricultural) sector provides over 60% of industrial raw materials. Raw materials are essential for the nation to move up the value chain, thus creating upstream employment in manufacturing, distribution, financial services, warehousing, retailing and logistics,” Basera said. “The ripple and multiplier effects derived from improved performance of the sector are unparalleled in transforming the other economic sectors.”
Zimbabwe has already achieved the target set to transform the agricultural sector to an US$8,1 billion economy by 2025 after being buoyed by horticultural crops and increased export earnings, according to official figures.
The Agriculture ministry secretary said investment in agriculture was two to four times more impactful in ending hunger, eradicating poverty and creating the income stream base required to build resilient households.
He said the sector remained critical in achieving most developmental targets outlined under the Sustainable Development Goals, adding that the sector's strength is hinged mostly on ensuring inclusive economic growth and development.
According to statistics from the Agriculture ministry, in 2021 Zimbabwe’s economy grew by 7,8% largely as a result of the 36,4% growth recorded in the agricultural sector.
Basera said a consortium of private sector millers and processors, called Food Crops Contractors Association, was formed with government support and has been contributing significantly to food production.
The dairy sector is also expanding, as witnessed by a jump of 14,3% from 79,6 million litres of milk produced in 2021 to 91 million litres in 2022.
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Similarly, the horticultural sector is fast expanding with the establishment of a US$30 million fund.
Meanwhile, blueberry exports increased by 34% from 3 500 tonnes in 2021 to 4 700 tonnes in 2022. This subsector is poised to reach 6 500 tonnes by the end of 2023.
The ministry has started planning for the 2023 winter wheat production with a view of increasing production by over 10% from 375 000 tonnes. The target is to make Zimbabwe a perennial net exporter of wheat by 2025.
