Agriculture continues to be perceived as the nation’s way out of the poverty trap. With the sector's estimated forecast decline of negative 14% in 2022, the forecast growth figures for 2023, 2024, and 2025 are 4%, 8.2%, and 7.9%, respectively. The predicted GDP growth estimates of 3.8%, 4.8%, and 5% for the respective underlying years are heavily dependent on the agriculture, mining, and construction sectors.
The agricultural sector is anchored on innovative technologies, and its good agronomics is meant to rebuild capacity to meet national requirements, support economic growth, and increase the incomes of households. According to the presentation of the national budget, the government has undertaken various projects that seek to promote productivity in the sector. Among others, the introduced projects and schemes include the popular pfumvudza (presdential inputs), Zunde raMambo/iSiphala seNkosi Programme Input Packages, and the Presidential Rural Horticulture Development Programme.
The positive forecast is strongly backed by the metrological forecast of the rainfall patterns in the 2022–2023 season. According to the Zimbabwean weather forecast department, Zimbabwe’s western and southern regions are anticipated to experience above-average to average rainfall for the months of December to February (DJF) and January to March (JFM) in 2023, while the majority of the country's northern and eastern provinces are anticipated to experience normal to above-average precipitation.
The achievement of the nation's declared forecasts is also dependent on the success of the implemented agricultural Irrigation Rehabilitation Programme, as well as the restructuring and transformation of agriculture systems to improve the sector's viability and productivity. A strategically formed agricultural management system will help the government achieve the stated forecasts.
As of November 15, 2022, inputs comprising 9 398 metric tons of grain seed and 50 831 metric tons of fertilizer, all valued at US$74 million and equivalent to ZWL$51.8 billion, have already been distributed across the country. In addition, the government have in the budget, provided additional resources amounting to ZWL$11.8 billion to accelerate the mechanisation of the smallholder sector.
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