The State of Agriculture

From every aspect, agriculture always has been and probably will remain, the cornerstone of the Zimbabwean economy. In addition, the majority of our people are dependent on agriculture for their income and security. In the past it has been the largest employer and exporter in Zimbabwe but there are no signs of recovery under this government. Without agriculture it is impossible to imagine recovery in industry, where over half of all industrial firms are wholly or partly dependent on the agricultural sector for support.

The Agriculture sector is presently characterized by the following factors:

A chaotic 'fast track' land reform that resulted in the widespread violation of property rights of most commercial farmers and a precarious food security situation. This chaotic land reform is still going on in some parts of the country even including land allocated to churches and government training institutions.

Zero production and large scale deforestation on much of the expropriated land.

Severe infringement on the socio-cultural fabric of rural Zimbabwe

Critical shortages in farming input supplies

There is threat to food security as the country has no food reserves with the grain silos empty.

Poor water management in resettled areas with little support to irrigation schemes.

A collapse in rural infrastructure development, with an inevitable decline in agricultural extension services

Expensive agro-financing owing to the current high risk nature of the business and a lack of collateral

Banks and other financial institutions are owed huge amounts to the extent that they are not able to service serious farmers anymore apart from the fact some of them are facing collapse or have downsized operations

Distorted marketing and pricing of the commodities produced

A crippling energy crisis which the government is attributing to low water levels in Kariba dam which supplies the country with hydro energy.

A significant and not generally recognized fall in output from the communal areas as a result of the collapse of commercial and industrial support services

Production yields in major crops such maize and tobacco.

Sharp decline in agricultural research and extension. Extension personnel are not furnished with resources to move around helping farmers and as a result they spend most of their time idle.

MDC-T Policy
The MDC-T has a revolutionary agricultural policy, revolutionary in the sense that we support access to land for all and real security in the form of title deeds for all who use the land to make a living. The land reform is indeed irreversible. However, the MDC-T government will ensure that there is a Land Commission for an initial period of five years during which it will assume responsibility for land use planning and allocation as well as the development of secure, bankable tenure rights for all who use land for whatever purpose. This will be supported by a comprehensive Register of all land rights.

Land Audit: The MDC-T government will undertake a comprehensive national audit of all land in Zimbabwe and a complete review of land use and occupation within 12 months of assuming office.

Access to Land: Access to land will be an automatic right for all Zimbabwe citizens, irrespective of race or ethnic background. Negotiated rights for non citizens and corporate bodies based on proposed investment plans.

Compensation: In terms of the constitution of Zimbabwe a there will be a negotiated and properly valued compensation package for the acquisition of all 8 million hectares of former large scale commercial farms.

Land Tenure: All who use the land will have secure, bankable tenure rights that can be used as collateral for financing purposes.

Agricultural Services: A comprehensive range of technical services including research, extension, planning, veterinary and market information will be provided in conjunction with the private sector.

Agricultural Marketing: To establish immediately a Commodity Exchange in Harare with provision for electronic trading in all products produced by farmers in the country.

Agricultural Inputs: To ensure open and effective competition in the supply of all inputs required for agriculture throughout the country. The inputs must be readily available and must be in line with regional and world prices.

Agricultural Finance: To restore Agribank to the status of the primary provider of long term, medium term and short term financing services for agriculture including Bond Financing for the purchase, development and production of land.

Food Security: to ensure that the country has enough food reserves to cater for its 14 million citizens.

Agriculture and land distribution  use must be de-racialized in line with the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

Farm sizes - the MDC-T believes that farm sizes must depend on the country's regions.

Vocational training - agricultural vocational colleges will be linked with farmers and financial institutions

Partnerships - The MDC-T government will support and develop a clear policy that will encourage partnerships that will attract foreign direct investment.