Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr John Basera paid a touching tribute to young farmers Wednesday, as he told them that they were “the best farmers in Zimbabwe”.
Delivering a key note speech at The Inaugural Agricultural Joint Ventures Investment Cocktail hosted by the Federation for Young Farmers Clubs in Zimbabwe Trust (FYFCZ), Dr Basera applauded the young farmers for sweating their land but challenged them to do more.
“Let me commend everyone for what we have achieved so far and I know you wish to do more. My team developed several agricultural development Plans to spur economic growth, and all were approved by the Cabinet. The Plans seeks to spur growth in the grains, oilseeds, livestock, and horticulture value chains while targeting increased irrigation development and mechanisation of farms.
“All the Plans are anchored on the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Strategy (2020-2025) that is strongly linked and aligned to the NDS. The aim is to transform agriculture from a US$5.8 billion to an US$8.2 billion sector, contributing at least 20 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product by 2025. In 2021, the sector grew by 36.4% which led to a gross value close to US$8 billion.
“The same year, Zimbabwe’s economy, our national economy grew by 7.8% and this growth was largely driven by the growth in the agricultural sector. This confirms that transforming the sector for the better is doable. We are all expected to do more and we envisage 10% growth this year notwithstanding the challenges experienced by our farmers,” said Dr Basera.
The Agricultural Joint Ventures Investment Cocktail brought together young farmers and investors who came from various sector of the economy ranging from banking and finance, insurance, agritech solutions and implements and equipment suppliers to court for Joint Ventures.
Government approved a Joint Venture Agreement Framework which allows investors to undertake farming operations with the consent of Government. An approved Joint Venture protects the investment especially for the ringfenced period. A joint venture database, for the purpose of match-making available underutilized and unproductive land units with potential Joint Ventures partners is being developed.
FYFCZ President Aaron Denenga said the joint venture model was boon to young farmers facing a myriad of challenges to ramp up production.
“The Joint Venture model presents opportunities for young farmers,” said Denenga.
Dr Basera said that processing of applications will not exceed 72 hours to get a joint venture approved if all the requirements are in order.
The requirements include;
- A signed agreement by the parties which has to be fair, practical and include provisions that allow for skill transfer at the close of joint venture. We expect the landholder to have gained valuable knowledge to start farming on their own.
- A valid offer letter on land that is not subject to dispute or an intention right-size the farm. The lawyers will check with the province and district officers in this regard before approval.
- The landholder has to be up to date with payments of their lease rental.
To date, 1640 joint ventures have been approved starting from 2020 when the policy was put in place and this translates to 150 000 hectares currently under joint ventures.
“My colleagues advised me that “this meeting of minds” event is being convened at a time when everyone is clamouring to see great progress in putting more tracts of land under meaningful agricultural production. I have no doubt that today’s interaction will culminate into lasting solutions where having idle farmland will be a phenomenon of the past.
“Collaborations, partnerships, inclusivity and unity of purpose in this kind of programming will lead to the desired results much earlier than when we are working in silos. I am sure we all need to co-create sustainable transformative solutions for our agriculture sector to continue flourishing,” said Dr Basera.
“Unlocking the potential of our farm requires a comprehensive approach that identifies all the challenges and expeditiously resolve them. One of the major challenges has and is always inadequate capital. Without this key ingredient, no matter how knowledgeable a farmer is, not much land will be opened for production yet agricultural production and productivity are the main driving forces to achieve food and nutrition security. I know it is easier said than done but one day we shall reflect in satisfaction as we count the successes of our land reform process.”