Good rains, bumper harvest - recipe for Zim economic recovery

THERE is no doubt that agriculture has been at the forefront driving the economy for many years. Of course mining now seems to be coming on board, but it has never been a sector for the majority to participate in with immediate and easily assessable benefits.

Mining is generally seen as a domain for the already resourced businessperson who has some extra capital to invest.

It is a field for the big boys and in cases where the general public is said to have benefited it is from crumbs and fringe benefits such as employment and a few social structures companies set up to get tax relief and other benefits from the Government.

It might be good for the country generally but rarely does it bring immediate benefits to the people on the ground.

That is why today most people are still to feel the diamond touch from the rich Chiadzwa fields. The population has been told of the riches in Chiadzwa but it seems nothing is being immediately felt by many people including civil servants who were also looking forward to feel it through their salaries.

The only conclusion people can make is that probably it is those who are mining the diamonds who are fattening their wallets at the expense of the general public including the original occupants of the area who were pushed out to pave way for the mines.

It's not only diamonds, every year we are bombarded with statistics of the millions the country raked in mineral exports.

Surprisingly it is not further clarified on whose pockets these millions are trapped because the public rarely feel them.

The silent information about the bulk of the money being in the few companies' accounts probably stashed in overseas banks is never told.

That is why agriculture has always won the battle when it comes to catering for the economic transformation of almost everyone.

Historically food security has always been a major priority even for our ancestors. Once food is there all other activities just flow but when there is no food, conflicts arise bringing in upheavals.

Zimbabwe is a good example of how the politics of the stomach were exploited. Some non-governmental organisations tried to dangle food as a weapon to push people to certain political ideologies.

Economically when the country was not receiving enough rains and food was scarce all the other economic activities would sneeze.

Even the focus on other activities was limited as everyone from Government to the household level, was channelling the bulk of money to buy food.

In the process the cost of the food basket constantly went up.

More than half of the country's import bill went towards buying food curtailing efforts to channel the resources to other economic needs.

However, this summer season, it seems the gods have smiled on Zimbabwe and the rains have been pounding almost every corner of the country.

There is always an ugly side of beautiful things as evidenced by the floods that have affected some areas and displaced families but on a national scale, the rains have revived hope that once again agriculture will propel this country to its Canaan.

Most farmers across the country are expecting a bumper harvest. Even farmers in areas that rarely receive above normal rains are squeezing their palms in anticipation of better fortunes.

Areas of Matabeleland and Masvingo provinces, historically considered dry, are soaking in water.

It is obvious that most farmers are smiling every morning as they inspect their fields and livestock full of life due to the abundant water.

The crops in the fields are encouraging barring some signs of nutrient deficiency and shortage of fertilisers.

But ask any farmer, he will tell you that it is better to see crops suffering from nutrient deficiency caused by leaching than the pain of watching the sun sapping the life out of the crops.

In Matabeleland regions, water sources are filling up and pastures are green and widespread.

Farmers in the provinces have each year lost a number of livestock due to lack of pastures and water.

The few farmers that have managed to remain above water are those who have managed to pump an extra dollar to supplement with livestock feed.

Some were being forced to drill boreholes to supply water to their animals.

This year everything seems to be pointing to a prosperous season. The tone has already been set by tobacco with farmers streaming to the auction floors and reports indicate that they are coming out smiling all the way to the bank.

Unlike past years when tobacco was the only shining crop, this year it seems almost everyone who bothered to till the land will be rewarded.

Even the quality of beef on the market is a sign that the rains have brought the goods that everyone was crying for.

Like in crop farming there are challenges in livestock rearing like the emergence of water borne diseases and other rain induced problems but the benefits outweigh them.

More importantly it is the guarantee that food will be available at household level that must bring relief to the whole nation.

As long as food is available the Government can then focus on other sectors that need money.

Moreover agriculture has a trigger effect to light up a number of other feeder sectors, a number of companies in the country rely on agricultural produce as inputs.

Agriculture provides a variety of raw materials and we are likely to see more activity as harvesting approaches.

Here is a chance to push the economy thanks to the rebirth of agriculture. Such a foundation must spur the nation to take agriculture seriously.

Government must start thinking of building the momentum by reviving irrigation schemes across the country so that we do not have to wait for another successful summer season to revive agriculture.

The momentum has been set and we cannot let such a beautiful chance slip out of our hands.