Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is in crisis amid food security concerns: Report

A recent report by the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development has shed light on the dire state of food security in Zimbabwe, with the agricultural sector needing a massive transformation from the current crisis.

The report, presented to the House of Assembly this week, has highlighted the devastating impact of the El Niño-induced drought on the country’s agricultural sector and the subsequent food insecurity crisis.

The committee’s inquiry revealed that the drought had a severe impact on crop production, with Silo Food Industries, a major food processing company, receiving only a fraction of its monthly maize target from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).

The report noted that the agricultural sector in Zimbabwe is over-reliant on rain-fed agriculture, making it highly vulnerable to climate-related shocks.

The report has identified several structural issues that have long plagued the agricultural sector, including land tenure security, access to inputs, and climate vulnerability.

The Committee also noted that the lack of investment in irrigation infrastructure and water harvesting techniques has worsened the impact of the drought, leaving many farmers without alternative sources of water for their crops.

The report also highlighted the limitations of the government’s response to the food security crisis.

The Committee noted that the government’s reliance on the private sector for maize supply has led to a decline in the overall maize supply available for distribution through the GMB.

The report also raised concerns about the importation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) by the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ), emphasising the need for proper labelling, traceability, and segregation of GMO products.

In light of these findings, the committee has made several recommendations to address the food security crisis. These include:

Developing a comprehensive plan to strengthen food security.

The committee recommended that the government develop a comprehensive plan to strengthen the country’s food security by the end of 2024.

Improving the operations and efficiency of the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).

The committee further recommended that the government reviews and streamlines the operations of the GMB, addressing issues such as delayed farmer payments and complex bureaucratic processes.

Strengthening regulation and oversight of GMO imports.

The committee recommended that the government implement robust regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure the proper labelling, traceability, and segregation of GMO products intended for human consumption.

Investing in irrigation infrastructure.

The committee also recommended that the government develop a comprehensive irrigation development plan and allocate sufficient funds for irrigation infrastructure development in the 2025-2026 budget.