Economists say the 2020-21 agriculture season is the country’s best chance at reviving the economy which has been ailing for a year because of overdependence on imports while exporting minimally.
In an interview, Africa Economic Development Strategies Director Professor Gift Mugano said the upcoming farming season should enable Zimbabwe to stop importing items it can produce on its own.
Dr Prosper Chitambara of the Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe said the government must invest more in irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation to ensure the agriculture sector is climate-proof.
According to data from the finance ministry, the agriculture sector contributes approximately 17 per cent to Zimbabwe’s GDP. Agricultural activities provide employment and income for 60-70 per cent of the population, supplies 60 per cent of the raw materials required by the industrial sector and contributes 40 per cent of total export earnings.
