Following last week’s budget presentation, the Zimbabwe Integrated Commercial Farming Union has shed light on the agricultural sector’s forthcoming developments, underscoring the significance of the outlined budgetary provisions.
In an interview with Great Dyke News, Maivepi Jiti of the Zimbabwe Integrated Commercial Farming Union expressed satisfaction with the allocated funds for the agricultural sector, citing the potential for these funds to maintain stability and foster economic growth. Notably, she highlighted the substantial allocation of 4.3 trillion dollars to the agricultural domain.
Mrs. Jiti commended the sector’s achievements, notably citing remarkable milestones in tobacco and wheat production alongside an uptick in small grains.
However, she stressed the imperative of prioritizing key economic sectors to uplift livelihoods, suggesting a reconsideration of the recently introduced 30% withholding tax on wheat. Mrs. Jiti emphasized the adverse impact of such taxes, especially amid challenges posed by El Nino.
To bolster economic growth, Mrs. Jiti advocated for incentivizing farmers to cultivate high-value export crops. Additionally, she highlighted the pressing need for investment in water infrastructure and irrigation systems to enhance production capacity, particularly during dry seasons.
