Prosper Ndlovu, Business Editor
THE food security gap is proving to be a major hurdle to meaningful economic progress in Zimbabwe.
In the wake of an El-Nino induced drought, considerable funding from the Government and the private sector is this year being channelled towards importing grain and other food stuffs in a bid to avert starvation.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa has reported that grain importation payments were draining more resources under a $200 million Afreximbank facility.
Since October 2015 to June this year, he said, the Government has spent $12,7 million importing more than 100,000 tonnes of maize alone under the drought relief programme aimed at assisting vulnerable families with food.
Some 3,3 million people are said to be in need of food aid and the government is stepping up efforts in food mobilisation and distribution interventions to mitigate the adverts effects of drought.
The country also spends substantial amounts importing wheat, horticultural products and processed food stuffs from regional suppliers.
This scenario points to a limping agriculture sector that, despite being the back bone of the economy and largest potential employer in both primary production and processing value chain has over the years become a conduit for resource drain and job exports through food imports.
Given incessant droughts experienced in the past few years, emphasis should be directed to urgent revitalisation of irrigation farming as a lasting solution to attaining permanent food security.
This is not unique to Zimbabwe as Africa’s agricultural sector generally remains stifled by the widespread lack of modern farming techniques, which results in low productivity and increased food imports.
According to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVac) 2015 report, the most common reason for non-functionality of irrigation schemes in Zimbabwe (46 percent) as well as partial functionality (35 percent) was breakdown of equipment such as pipes, canals, engines and pumps.
The report further includes lack of adequate water sources with most dams in need of rehabilitation from siltation and collapse of walls. Electricity costs, lack of finance and inputs are also some of the barriers.
This calls for increased investment in irrigation infrastructure, resuscitation of idle irrigation schemes through improved extension services and adoption of modern farming techniques. Experts believe these would facilitate food production throughout the year to boost local reserves and create a surplus for exports.
At the present moment a handful of irrigation schemes such as ARDA Antelope in Kezi and ARDA Jotsholo in Lupane are functional thanks to the private sector partnerships.
Anju Farm in Umguza area, Matabeleland North province is among the few farms that exude hope despite inadequate support. The farm epitomises the success of the land reform programme as it continues to produce.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services own the farm, which is situated on a 203 hectares piece of land with a 130ha arable stretch.
The farm specialises on horticulture production for feeding inmates and also serves a commercial purpose.
It has irrigation infrastructure on a 40ha of land but only 12ha is being utilised with the rest of the land lying idle due to capacity limitations.
Farm manager Senior Prison Officer Hapson Masocha gave an overview of the potential the farm has in contributing to food security.
One hectare had been planted with onion, which is nearing maturity with more to be planted in July.
The farm is presently harvesting butternuts on a five hectare stretch with two hectares maize crop that are two-weeks from maturity with plans to plant more. It had a ripe cabbage and carrot crop on a combined five hectares with two more hectares put on cow peas.
Some 1,5ha has been put on sweet potatoes while sugar beans are being harvested on a five hectare stretch with estimated yield of 1,5 tonnes.
“We’re beneficiaries of the land reform programme and we produce for feeding inmates and officers as well as for sale in the market,” said SPO Masocha.
“However, our irrigation system isn’t operating efficient as it has leakages due to a dilapidated infrastructure. We need a lot of support in this area so that we increase production.
“Funds permitting we can utilise the farm fully. At the moment we’ve got one tractor and we need more.”
He said the major constraint was water as the farm was operating with only four boreholes and one booster pump instead of two.
“Given the right support we have the potential to be a leading food production centre in Matabeleland north and ZPCS country.
“We view ourselves as a beacon of hope and a symbol of success with a special role to play in the Zim-Asset food security sector,” said SPO Masocha.
While the government deserves applause for availing subsidised inputs to farmers each year and facilitating equipment support through the $98 million Brazilian loan facility last year, more needs to be done in revitalising irrigation infrastructure and linking farmers with markets.
Unlocking more private sector financing is also critical given the background of crippling lack of support from the banking sector.
In the absence of a vibrant agriculture revolution, the high level of poverty in many rural communities would remain a reminder of “much lip service” being paid to revitalising the sector, African Development Bank (AfDB) president Akinwumi Adesina says.
“Africa spends $35 billion dollars in importing food; it is projected that the figure will grow to $110 billion US dollars by 2025. Africa is importing what it should be producing, creating poverty within Africa and exporting jobs to other continents,” he says.
Experts say these loopholes divert considerable economic investment from investment and job opportunities making locals vulnerable to external shocks, such as food prices and climate change.
In the case of Anju Farm the officer commanding the station, Chief Prison Officer Kuzivakwashe Mativenga, said there was a huge potential for increased yields in prison farms considering the availability of cheap labour from inmates.
“We’re situated in the Nyamandlovu aquifer and we’ve the best soils. We can do more if we get more boreholes and implements like tractors. If we get this support we can put additional 90ha under irrigation and this will contribute immensely to food security,” he says.
“We feel we’re doing well in light of the constraints we face and negative climate. However, there are things that we need addressed although management is working on that.”
CPO Mativenga said farming was big business. He revealed that their farm operations were being supported through commercial proceeds from running projects.
The farm has generated proceeds for construction of new station offices, a new barrack and toilets. New production lines have also been added that include fishery, piggery and rabbitry.
The farm also runs a small dairy project and a pilot project on growing broccoli and cauliflower to supply to hotels, lodges and supermarkets. Plans are also underway to run a broiler keeping project.
The Anju case study is an indicator that Zimbabwe can feed itself and with adequate support the agriculture sector can impact positively on economic turnaround.
The challenges facing the sector are a reminder of the commitments made by governments including Zimbabwe to the Malabo Declaration, which places agriculture in the broader social context.
Under this declaration African Union member states, through the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), agreed to increase agricultural finance and investment support as a strategy to eradicate poverty and end starvation and trade relations.