The agriculture sector has potential to drive pro-poor economic growth and sustainable development. Key to unlocking the potential is resolving the security of tenure on the land and creating conducive conditions for bankability of agricultural projects. Access to agriculture finance remains key in unlocking the full potential of agriculture and strengthening the food supply system through facilitating the adoption of improved crop varieties and livestock breeds as well as the purchase of other inputs. The agricultural sector’s share of commercial lending has been gradually declining due to the inherent risk of agricultural production, lack of collateral among 70 smallholder farmers, high transaction costs and limited affordable lines of credit in the country.

Strategies to drought proof agriculture

Irrigation rehabilitation and expansion;

Promotion and adoption of research that improves productivity of seed and animal varieties;

Upscaling of climate smart agriculture practises such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa; and

Capacitation of extension services;

Further, to improve predictability in the marketing of agricultural produce, the Government intends to operationalise the commodity exchange, supported by a well-functioning regulated warehouse receipt system.

Opportunities

The agribusiness opportunities in Zimbabwe are as outlined below:

Manufacturing of irrigation equipment;

Precision agriculture, use of efficient technologies;

Production of pharmaceuticals for livestock;

Agro – processing;