Agriculture is the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy inasmuch as Zimbabweans remain largely a rural people who derive their livelihood from agriculture and other related rural economic activities. It provides employment and income for 60-70 percent of the population, supplies 60 percent of the raw materials required by the industrial sector and contributes 40 percent of total export earnings.
Despite the high level of employment in the sector, it directly contributes only 15-19 percent to annual GDP, depending on the rainfall pattern (Government of Zimbabwe, 1995), and this is a statistic that understates the true importance and dominance of the agricultural industry. It is generally accepted that when agriculture performs poorly, the rest of the economy suffers.
Three main policy frameworks have affected the performance of agriculture in Zimbabwe in the past two decades. First, there was the €œgrowth with equity programme€Â pursued by the government between 1980 and 1990. It sought to redress the colonial legacy in favour of communal farmers. Second, there was the €œstructural adjustment market-oriented reforms€Â, the Economic Structural Adjustment Program (ESAP), adopted in 1991.
Finally, with more profound implications for the sector, there was the programme of €œfast-track land resettlement and redistribution€Â started in 2000 and currently in progress.
Drivers:
Zimbabwe Agriculture Market is developing due to rapidly increasing tourism, Increase in consumption, advanced technologies, low water requirement in Horticulture process and Government Initiatives. Zimbabwe have abundance of arable land. Horticulture is the new trend in agriculture production which have given boost to the production. Moderate Population and high GDP gives boost to agro sector of Zimbabwe.
Restraints:
High competition in exports, low contribution of agro sector in GDP are the biggest constraints for the sector in Zimbabwe. Also, post production management is worst in the country, which makes it difficult to transport fresh food on time. Hyper Inflation have destroyed the economy of the country, resulted in weak agro industry.
What the report offers:
The study identifies the situation of Zimbabwe, and predicts the growth of its agriculture market. Report talks about Agriculture production, consumption, import and export with prices and market trends, Government regulations, growth forecast, major companies, upcoming companies & projects, etc. Report will talk about Economic conditions of and future forecast of its current economic scenario and effect of its current policy changes in to its economy, reasons and implications on its growth. Lastly, the report is divided by major import & export and importing and exporting partners.
