‘Agricultural sector not immune to sanctions’

THE Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has said the illegal sanctions imposed on the country continue to disadvantage the farming community as the agriculture sector is hamstrung.

The parastatal said the costs of inputs and production are a clear sign of the retrogressive nature of sanctions.

On its X (Twitter) handle, GMB said the agricultural sector is not immune to sanctions.

“GMB says no to sanctions. Agricultural production has been hit hard with the common man and the farmer being the worst affected.

“The costs of inputs and production are a clear sign of the retrogressive nature of sanctions,” reads the tweet.

The unilateral sanctions brought a myriad of challenges to the agriculture sector, making it extremely difficult for players in the industry to access agricultural lines of credit and attract investment.

This resulted in lack of development, rehabilitation, modernisation and deterioration of production and marketing infrastructure, ultimately reducing productivity and access to markets.

Several key institutions with direct influence to the agricultural sector were placed under sanctions, while other financial services providers where slapped with huge fines.

However, the sector has in recent years shown remarkable recovery.

For instance, from the 2021, 2022 through to 2023 farming seasons, the country recorded bumper harvest.

This not only ensured food security, but also became a significant export revenue generator.

The country is now ready to resume grain exports this year with initial exports of 40 000 tonnes of grain to East Africa from the substantial surpluses grown by the farmers as the Second Republic’s agriculture policies continue to guarantee good harvests.

Wheat exports are also being considered after Zimbabwe attained self-sufficiency for the first time last year and should be reaping a significant surplus over the next few months.

This season Zimbabwe has so far harvested more than 2,3 million tonnes of maize and 300 000 tonnes of traditional grains and there is carry-over stock of 300 000 tonnes of maize from the previous season, so exports now become possible again.

In the coming summer cropping season, the Government is targeting a cereal production of 3,7 million tonnes to ensure national food and nutrition security. The target cultivated areas for the major crops has been increased by only 10 percent since the major thrust of the ministry is to increase production per unit area, rather than drastically expand the cultivated area.

The agriculture sector has already hit the initial 2025 target of becoming an US$8,2 billion industry. This target was achieved in 2021, when the industry grew by 36,2 percent.

During an anti-sanctions march in Bulawayo yesterday, Mr Siqokoqela Mphoko said the economic embargo have to be removed as they are affecting economic growth.

“As business people, we call for the removal of these illegal sanctions as they are affecting the viability of businesses in Zimbabwe.

“Many are now moving their business headquarters out of the country, moving their financial services to other countries, so that they can be able to work.

“For us, the community and the people we are saving are here in Zimbabwe so we cannot relocate, therefore we are calling for the removal of the sanctions,” he said.-chronicle