Staff Reporter
In a decisive move to revitalize Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector, Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has allocated ZiG22.9 billion to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development under the 2025 National Budget, presented at the New Parliament Building on 29 November 2024.
This allocation, he said, is expected to facilitate the recovery of a sector that shrunk by 15% in 2024, with projected growth of 12.8% in 2025.
The rebound, attributed largely to the anticipated La Niña weather phenomenon, is expected to bring normal to above-normal rainfall, boosting agricultural output across the country.
“This recovery will be anchored by targeted interventions under the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy and the Agriculture Recovery Plan,” Minister Ncube noted during his presentation.
The budget allocation will fund key initiatives including dam construction, irrigation development, rural transformation, and grain procurement for the Strategic Grain Reserve.
It also includes support for the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme (NEAPS) and the Agriculture Productive Social Protection Scheme.
Development partners are set to complement these efforts with an additional US$77.9 million for drought mitigation, resilience building, and increased food production. These measures aim to enhance food security while insulating the sector from climate shocks.
To further strengthen the sector, the Government is implementing the National Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation Programme, targeting an increase in functional irrigable land from the current 217,000 hectares to 350,000 hectares by 2025.
The program will receive ZiG400.6 million, with additional support sought through public-private partnerships.
The 2024/25 agricultural season is being financed through multiple schemes, including Pfumvudza/Intwasa, which aims to cultivate 1.1 million hectares for cereals, cotton, oilseeds, and pulses.
Inputs worth ZiG3 billion have already been distributed, including maize seed, sorghum seed, basal fertilizer, and top dressing.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has been tasked with achieving a national target of 500 000 metric tonnes of summer cereals, while NEAPS will provide financing for commercial farming activities through guarantees extended by the Government to financial institutions.
In marketing, the Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX) will play a critical role in reducing post-harvest losses and improving farmer incomes.
Meanwhile, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) will focus on its mandate of procuring grain for the strategic reserve, with a target of 500,000 metric tonnes in 2025, eventually rising to 1.5 million metric tonnes by 2028.
Minister Ncube underscored agriculture’s central role in the economy, calling it a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s recovery strategy.
“This allocation not only ensures food security but also strengthens rural livelihoods and positions the sector as a driver of economic growth,” he said.
By integrating strategic funding with climate-resilient policies and partnerships, the Government aims to build a robust and sustainable agricultural sector.
With the sector accounting for a significant portion of GDP and employment, the 2025 budget’s focus on agriculture signals its critical role in achieving the nation’s Vision 2030 goals.
