Story by Theophilus Chuma
GOVERNMENT projects a strong rebound in the agricultural sector next year, with an estimated 14 percent growth, buoyed by supportive measures implemented for the industry.
The agricultural sector is heading for exciting times, targeting record performance in cereal, tobacco, and horticultural production in the 2024-2025 summer cropping season.
According to Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, the targeted US$14 billion Agricultural Economy by 2025 remains feasible.
Dr Masuka was speaking on the sidelines of the inaugural Zimbabwe Online Agricultural College Graduation Ceremony held in Harare this Friday.
“We have the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy, where we have outlined all the critical pillars that will help us achieve the US$14 billion target by next year. We surpassed our initial target of US$8 billion economy in 2022, and now we are looking at achieving a US$14 billion target,” he said.
The government has ring-fenced the strong performance of the agricultural sector through prioritising funding and supportive measures such as irrigation.
The government is also promoting a strong skills base within the agricultural sector, which has birthed the Zimbabwe Online Agricultural College.
The first graduates of the college were capped in Harare this Friday, with officials committing to contribute to the growth of the sector.
“We have ensured that we adequately prepare the graduates to support all the pillars of agriculture from horticulture to livestock production,” noted the Zimbabwe Online Agriculture College- principal, Ms Constance Nyaruwata.
The Second Republic has developed the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy to strengthen mechanisms of production to guarantee food and nutritional security.
