THE Government’s policy measures to reduce food imports through sustainable agricultural production are bearing fruit after an additional 850 hectares were put under irrigation with funding support from the Agricultural Marketing Fund.
Statutory Instrument (SI) 87 of 2025 (CAP. 18:24), Agricultural Marketing Authority (Grain, Oilseed and Products) (Amendment) Regulations (No. 2), crafted last year, seeks to promote local production and governs the import of grains and oilseed products.
According to section 13, “No person shall import grain, oilseed and products, except for contractors in instances of need”.
Where the landed import parity price is lower than the local production parity price, the difference shall accrue to the Agricultural Revolving Fund.
From April 1, 2026, all processors are now required to source at least 40 percent of their grain inputs, oilseed and products locally.
Processors will be required to source 100 percent of their grain, oilseed and product requirements locally from April 1, 2028.
Speaking at the AMF impact assessment and tour of the 50ha Glen Somerset irrigation scheme in Murehwa South District, Mashonaland East Province, on Friday, Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) board member, Retired Major General Hlanganani Dube, said the event was aimed at showcasing the full benefits of SI87 of 2025.
“This tour demonstrates the tangible outcomes arising from the fund and highlights the Government’s commitment to climate-proof agriculture through irrigation development.
“It is also meant to strengthen public confidence in the management of the fund and generate public awareness on how agricultural levies are being transformed into productive national assets,” he said.
Rt Gen Dube said the SI was established to promote investment in local agricultural production, encourage value chain financing and contract farming arrangements, reduce excessive reliance on imported raw materials, prevent opportunistic imports that undermine local producers and distort market signals.
The Government will only facilitate targeted imports where local production gaps exist.
AMA is mandated to collect and account for all levy proceeds, remit collections to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, submit monthly reports on collections and import volumes, work closely with Treasury and other stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability, as well as facilitate monitoring and evaluation of projects financed through the levy proceeds.
Under the first phase, US$3,2 million and ZIG29 million was deployed towards smallholder irrigation development on 17 irrigation schemes, with US$300 000 advanced to Glen Somerset.-newsday
