Online Reporter
Word From The Market
Tina Nleya
THE proposed 2025 National Budget delivered a clear and resounding message: Agriculture remains at the heart of Zimbabwe’s economic revival and transformation.
This renewed commitment is not just about sustaining livelihoods but also positioning agriculture as a key driver of national development.
Treasury has set aside ZiG22,9 billion for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to cover dam construction; irrigation development; rural development; contracting for and procurement of grain for the strategic grain reserve; the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme; and the Agriculture Productive Social Protection Scheme.
With strategic priorities outlined in the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy, the year ahead promises tangible opportunities for farmers and those who wish to venture into farming across the country.
What does this mean for farmers?
Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector is projected to recover from a significant 15 percent contraction in 2024 to grow by an impressive 12,8 percent in 2025.
This projected growth underscores the resilience of the sector and reflects the effectiveness of targeted interventions by the Government. For farmers, this recovery means more opportunities to increase production, improve access to markets and greater profitability. A growing agriculture sector also leads to job creation, enhanced rural livelihoods and a stronger overall economy. Farmers should see this as a chance to expand their operations and explore new market opportunities, bolstered by supportive Government policies and programmes.
Treasury’s allocation to the agriculture sector signals its recognition of the pivotal role farmers play in ensuring food security, employment creation and foreign currency generation.
Key allocations include enhanced funding for irrigation infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture and input support schemes. These initiatives are designed to address some of the most pressing challenges farmers face, including erratic rainfall patterns, limited access to affordable inputs and unsustainable farming practices.
Under the rural development strategy, significant emphasis has been placed on improving rural infrastructure, including roads, markets and energy access. This development is critical to ensuring that farmers can transport their produce efficiently and access lucrative markets, both locally and internationally.
The Agriculture Recovery Plan, which continues to guide sectoral interventions, places a premium on productivity enhancement, livestock development and value addition.
By bridging the gap between primary production and agro-processing, farmers stand to benefit from improved profitability and market competitiveness.
Why farmers should familiarise with the budget
The 2025 Budget is more than just a financial blueprint — it is a roadmap for economic priorities and Government support.
Farmers who stay informed about the Budget can:
1. Identify opportunities for growth — Knowing where resources are allocated helps farmers align their activities with areas prioritised by the Government, such as climate-smart agriculture and irrigation development.
2.Access Government support — Awareness of input schemes, credit facilities and subsidies enables farmers to take full advantage of these resources to enhance productivity.
3. Plan strategically — Understanding the Government’s economic priorities allows farmers to make informed decisions about which crops to grow, which markets to target and how to diversify their income streams.
AMA’s role in supporting farmers
As the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA), we are aligned with these national priorities and remain steadfast in our mandate to support farmers.
AMA is playing a leading role in creating an enabling environment for market linkages, ensuring that agricultural value chains are competitive, inclusive and sustainable.
In 2025, we will:
1.Strengthen market linkages: Through partnerships with local and regional markets, AMA will facilitate the connection between farmers and buyers, reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring fair prices for agricultural produce.
2.Promote value addition: By encouraging agro-industrial development, we aim to help farmers move up the value chain, transforming raw commodities into processed goods with higher market value.
3.Facilitate contract farming on strategic crops: AMA is committed to supporting farmers by linking them to affordable input schemes and credit facilities on strategic crops, making it easier to enhance productivity.
4.Support climate-resilient agriculture: In line with the Government’s focus on climate-smart farming, AMA will provide farmers with technical support and training on sustainable agricultural practices.
Tina Nleya is AMA’s marketing and public relations manager. She can be contacted on email: tnleya@ama.co.zw
. Word From The Market is a column produced by AMA to promote market-driven production.
5.Create structured rural markets: Structured markets will allow farmers to get more value from their crops and improve their livelihoods.
A call to action
The 2025 Budget has laid a strong foundation for agricultural success, but this vision can only be realised through collaboration and dedication.
The projected recovery of the sector is a testament to the resilience and potential of Zimbabwean farmers.
By staying cognisant of the budget statement and working closely with the Government and relevant departments, farmers can unlock new opportunities and contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery.
Together, let us make 2025 a year of growth, resilience and prosperity in the local agriculture sector.
Tina Nleya is AMA’s marketing and public relations manager. She can be contacted on email: tnleya@ama.co.zw. Word From The Market is a column produced by AMA to promote market-driven production.
Wenslus Murape
