By Wayne Matyukira
Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. AGRICULTURE remains the cornerstone of the Zimbabwean economy, contributing around 17% to GDP and supporting over 60% of the population.
Yet despite this central role, the country’s agricultural export potential remains significantly underutilised.
Years of underinvestment, erratic policy shifts and climate-related shocks have hindered productivity and export competitiveness.
As Zimbabwe strives towards Vision 2030 to become an upper-middle-income economy, revitalising agricultural exports is not just desirable, it is essential.
To ignite sustainable, export-led economic growth, Zimbabwe must implement strategic, consistent, and economically sound policies that enhance productivity and competitiveness across the entire agricultural value chain.
This strategy must be grounded on solid macroeconomic principles, robust financing mechanisms, and inclusive rural development aligned with national frameworks such as the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Key strategies to boost agricultural exports
Enhancing input support for productivity growth: For Zimbabwe to scale up exports, increasing productivity at farm level is vital.
Input support programmes such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa and Command Agriculture have provided a base for smallholder transformation.
Particularly, the climate-smart Pfumvudza model has yielded better results for crops like maize and tobacco.
Scaling these initiatives with digital monitoring, improved targeting and a robust private-sector interface can create surplus volumes suitable for export.
High productivity in maize, horticulture, cotton and soybeans is the gateway to regional and international trade competitiveness.
Investing in irrigation and climate resilience: Erratic rainfall and climate change threaten both food security and export viability.
Investing in irrigation infrastructure — such as at Tugwi-Mukosi and Marovanyati dams —ensures consistent production of export-focused crops like peas, blueberries and flowers.
Irrigation also enhances productivity in traditional exports such as tobacco, maize and soybeans.
Scaling irrigation systems for both smallholder and commercial farmers will improve year-round output and ensure supply stability to global markets.
Promoting research and digital innovation: Scientific research is critical to unlocking Zimbabwe’s agricultural potential.
Institutions like Agritex and the Department of Research and Specialist Services should be empowered to develop high-yield, drought-resistant seed varieties.
Integrating mobile platforms to provide agronomic guidance, market trends and weather alerts will help farmers to make data-driven decisions.
Enhanced information flow improves quality, consistency, and traceability which are critical attributes for global buyers.
Securing land tenure to stimulate investment: Land security is essential for long-term investment. Progress on issuing 99-year leases and formalising communal holdings can unlock access to credit, mechanisation, and infrastructure investment.
When farmers feel secure, they are more likely to invest in productivity-enhancing tools and technologies, contributing to consistent output and increased export volume.
Accelerating mechanisation and technology transfer: Mechanisation remains a major constraint. Partnerships with countries like Belarus, India and Russia are already delivering tractors, harvesters and irrigation equipment.
But more is needed. Adopting technologies like precision farming, drone surveillance and satellite imaging can optimise the use of inputs and increase yields per hectare.
Mechanisation also shortens production cycles, reduces labour costs and enhances post-harvest efficiency — all of which are necessary for large-scale export production.
Expanding access to agricultural finance: Agricultural transformation is impossible without affordable finance. Institutions like AFC Holdings, Agribank and CBZ Agro-Yield should expand credit access to both commercial and smallholder farmers.
Structured finance mechanisms such as warehouse receipt systems and contract farming can de-risk lending and improve repayment rates.
Exporters also require forex retention schemes and concessional funding to modernise operations and meet compliance standards.
Maintaining macroeconomic stability and export incentives: Stable macroeconomic conditions underpin any successful export agenda.
Exchange rate predictability, inflation control and transparent fiscal policies are critical for investor confidence.
Moreover, Zimbabwe must adopt export-friendly policies such as tax breaks, duty-free importation of farm equipment, and input subsidies for priority crops like tobacco, citrus, cotton, and avocados.
Sectoral export opportunities
Tobacco: Tobacco remains Zimbabwe’s top agricultural export, accounting for over 20% of total foreign exchange earnings.
China and Europe are major buyers.
Continued investment in curing technologies, contract farming, and post-harvest handling will help Zimbabwe to secure premium export markets.
Ensuring timely and fair payment to farmers is crucial for sustainability.
Horticulture: Zimbabwe’s horticultural sector which includes avocados, citrus, peas and berries has immense export potential.
Source: NewsDay
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