AS ZIMBABWE gears up for the 2024-25 summer farming season, the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) has expressed optimism about the sector’s potential for growth, emphasising collaboration as the key to unlocking success.
The season’s official launch, scheduled for Thursday, November 21, in Harare, promises to be a landmark event for the nation’s agriculture sector, underpinned by partnerships among industry players.
Organised by ZAS in collaboration with The Financial Gazette and sponsored by Ecobank Zimbabwe, the breakfast event has garnered significant interest from stakeholders across the agriculture value chain.
Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka is expected to headline the gathering, which will bring together influential voices to discuss strategies for boosting agricultural productivity.
ZAS CEO Andrew Matibiri hailed the event as an opportunity for stakeholders to align their efforts in preparation for the season.
“We are very excited to see collaboration in action among Zimbabwe’s agriculture stakeholders ahead of the crucial 2024-2025 farming season, whose prospects look bright,” he remarked.
Matibiri also thanked Ecobank Zimbabwe for their financial sponsorship, emphasising the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving national agricultural goals.
The agriculture sector is central to Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing 17 percent to the GDP, sustaining 67 percent of national livelihoods, and supplying 63 percent of raw materials to the manufacturing sector.
Its significance extends beyond economic metrics, serving as a cornerstone for national aspirations like job creation, industrialisation, and food security. With this in mind, collaboration among stakeholders is seen as vital to realising Zimbabwe’s vision of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2020 launch of the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy highlighted the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to agriculture. The blueprint aims to transform the sector into an $8,2 billion economy by 2025, contributing 20 percent to GDP. Its focus on increasing productivity and maximising land use aligns with global trends of addressing population growth and climate change challenges.
“Partnerships between government and private entities remain critical for reviving, restructuring, and transforming Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector,” Matibiri emphasised, echoing the strategy’s objectives.
Ecobank Zimbabwe’s sponsorship of the farming season launch underscores its commitment to national development through sustainable investment. The bank’s involvement resonates with the government’s call for private sector participation in addressing agricultural challenges and opportunities.
“When a leading brand collaborates with other private sector players and the public sector to make a difference in the Zimbabwean economy, this is laudable,” commented The Financial Gazette’s Managing Director Lewis Chikurunhe.
“We commend Ecobank Zimbabwe for taking the initiative to anchor the country’s efforts towards improved productivity for food security in the 2024-25 farming season. Your investment in this national cause will truly transform Zimbabwe’s agriculture fortunes.”
Ecobank Zimbabwe’s efforts align with its broader mission of building sustainable communities and fostering inclusive national development. Their contribution to the agriculture sector reflects a shared vision for enhancing productivity and resilience in Zimbabwe’s farming landscape.
Themed “Zim Agriculture – Forward Together,” the launch will emphasise collective action as the sector prepares for the upcoming farming season. Stakeholders will use the event to exchange insights and explore ways to boost productivity, ensuring that the 2024-25 season is both successful and sustainable.
Matibiri noted that with preparations for the season well underway, the event would serve as a platform to galvanise efforts.
“With the leading Pan-African bank on our side, preparations for the 2024-25 summer farming season are gathering pace, and national agriculture stakeholders commend Ecobank Zimbabwe for making this imperative season’s preparatory interface possible,” he said.
The agriculture sector’s transformation remains a national priority, given its pivotal role in the economy and its potential to address pressing issues like food insecurity and unemployment. The 2024-25 farming season, bolstered by collaboration and innovation, is set to build on the progress made under the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy.
The breakfast launch event represents more than just a ceremonial beginning, it is a call to action for stakeholders to work together in achieving shared goals. With the government, private sector players, and financial institutions like Ecobank Zimbabwe aligning their efforts, Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector is poised for a breakthrough year.
As industry leaders converge on November 21, optimism is palpable. The event is expected to set the tone for a season of collaboration, innovation, and growth, reinforcing agriculture’s status as the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy.