By Maricho Reporter
Harare — Cabinet has approved a series of reductions and removals of statutory fees and levies affecting multiple agricultural sub-sectors, as part of a broader review of production costs across the economy.
The measures target regulatory charges within the crops, horticulture, aquaculture and agrochemical segments.
Authorities indicate the adjustments follow a July 2025 directive to reassess administrative costs linked to licensing, compliance and market participation.
Among the changes, contractor registration fees under the Agricultural Marketing Authority have been reduced from US$1,000 to US$250, while trader registration fees decline from US$1,000 to US$100.
In the aquaculture sector, Value Added Tax on fish and related products has been removed, together with a US$7.50 per tonne harvest fee.
Lease charges for water bodies administered by National Parks have been revised from US$30,000 to US$15,000.
Agrochemical compliance costs have also been adjusted. Pesticide registration fees are now set at US$150, down from US$300, while effluent discharge charges have been reduced by half, from US$27,000 to US$13,500.
In addition to fee revisions, authorities are working to standardise charges applied by local authorities and other agencies, including development levies, water charges and joint venture lease arrangements. These changes are expected to be formalised through statutory instruments.
Cabinet also approved complementary policy measures affecting farm operations.
These include the removal of import licensing requirements for agricultural spare parts brought in by farmers, amendments to dam construction regulations, and an extension of legal provisions covering theft of agricultural produce and equipment.
The review forms part of ongoing adjustments to regulatory frameworks governing primary production and agro-processing. No implementation timeline beyond the current fiscal cycle has been specified.