Source: Agric sector in record growth…projected to grow by 34 percent this year | Sunday Mail (Business)

Golden Sibanda

AGRICULTURE is projected to grow by 34 percent this year, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube said, spurred by the good rains received this season, which saw above target output for maize and tobacco.

As such, the sector will register the biggest and most significant growth to anchor stellar overall economic growth this year, which Minister Ncube revised upwards to 7,8 percent from the initial 7,4 percent.

Agriculture contributes approximately 17 percent to Zimbabwe’s economy. As the main source of livelihood for the majority of the population, the performance of the sector is a key determinant of rural livelihood resilience and poverty levels.

Bretton Woods institutions, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, have already backed Zimbabwe’s strong growth prospects this year, predicting 6 percent and 3,9 percent expansion, respectively.

While other sectors are projected to do well, despite the negative impact of Covid-19, agriculture would have the largest positive impact, given its projected growth this year and share of total output.

During the 2020/21 season, the Treasury chief said, the Government launched a number of supportive programmes such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa Conservation Scheme and Presidential Input Scheme.

More support came through the National Enhanced Crop productivity Scheme (Command Agriculture), irrigation, the livestock growth plan and farm mechanisation programme, which all contributed to the anticipated higher growth.

“As a result of the above supportive measures, the Crop and Livestock Assessment Report indicates an overall 23 percent increase in area planted for crops to 3,5 million hectares in the 2020/2021 season,” Minister Ncube said.

Maize output for the 2020/21 cropping season is thus estimated to reach 2,7 million tonnes, about 193,1 percent the production of the 2019/20 season. Maize output will be complemented by increased output of other grains, including sorghum, pear millet and finger millet.

The Treasury chief said this level of maize output surpasses the national cereal requirement of an estimated 1,8 million tonnes and 450 000 tonnes per annum for human and livestock consumption, respectively.

The area under tobacco increased by 6,1 percent from 117 976 hectares in the 2019/20 season to 125 176ha in the 2020/21 season with 84 000ha under irrigation, while the rest was under dry land.

The bulk of the crop was in the traditional tobacco growing areas of Mashonaland and Manicaland provinces, the finance minister said.

“From the increased hectarage, tobacco output is projected to increase by 8 percent to 195 million kilogrammes in 2021 compared to 184 million kilogrammes recorded in the 2019/20 season,” Minister Ncube said.

As at July 23, 2021, about 196,3 million kilogrammes of tobacco, worth US$544,6 million had been sold at the auction floors. The deliveries are 13 percent higher than the 172,3 million kg delivered during the same period in 2020.

Benefiting from timeous distribution of inputs and better rainfall, area planted for cotton increased by 37,5 percent to 239 619ha in the 2020/21 season, from 174 212ha the prior year, as farmers responded well to the Government incentives aimed at resuscitating the cotton to clothing value chain.

Resultantly, initial estimates put cotton output to at least 140 000 tonnes during the 2020/21 season, a 39 percent increase from 101 000 tonnes produced in the 2019/20 season.

Minister Ncube said the crop output benefited from continued support from the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO) administered Presidential Cotton Free Inputs Scheme, complemented by private players.

The above-normal rainfall season has significantly enhanced water security for the sugar cane industry. Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, Zimbabwe’s largest inland dam, spilled for the first time since its commissioning in May 2017.

Similarly, the good rains this year positively impacted Lake Mutirikwi, which reached over 60 percent of its capacity and has been the single biggest supplier of irrigation water for sugar cane farming in Zimbabwe’s Lowveld.

Increased production of sweet potatoes, fruits and coffee boosted the performance of the horticulture sub-sector, which is projected to grow by 1,3 percent in 2021.

Milk output stood at 17,8 million litres during the first quarter of 2021, 7 percent lower than production levels for the same time last year and 9 percent lower than output produced in the fourth quarter of 2020.

In line with the increased herd size, formal sector beef cattle slaughters in the first quarter of 2021 peaked up by 11 percent to 62 929 from 56 485 head in the same period in 2020. Improved performance is expected in pork and poultry production.

The poultry sector is expected to grow by 5 percent to 156 078 tonnes in 2021, supported by improved availability of stock feeds following an increase in production of maize and soyabean.

In line with the Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Master Plan, 350 000 ha will be put under irrigation by 2025, while $1,5 billion have been expended in support of the following irrigation programmes.