FARMERS have expressed disappointment over the money allocated to the Agriculture ministry in the 2025 nation al budget saying it is insufficient to address the challenges facing the industry.
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube allocated ZiG4.3 trillion to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, which is about 5% of the total budget.
Ncube presented the budget on November 28 amid a huge outcry over an array of new taxes.
Farmers said the Agriculture ministry’s allocation was not enough to address the challenges facing the sector, including rising input costs, climate change, and the ongoing depreciation of the local currency.
Zimbabwe’s agriculture is recovering from the impact of the El-Niño induced drought which threatened food security and productivity.
Paul Zakariya, the Zimbabwe Farmers Union secretary-general, said currency instability has caused operational challenges, particularly for smallholder farmers who rely heavily on affordable inputs and financing
“The budget allocates approximately ZiG4,3 trillion to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development,” Zakariya said.
“Key priorities include irrigation projects, mechanisation programs, and funding for initiatives like the Presidential Input Scheme, which provides support to small-scale farmers.
“These measures aim to enhance productivity, particularly in maize and wheat production, and improve food security.
“We, however, express concern that the 5% share of the total budget is insufficient to address challenges like rising input costs and the effects of climate change.
“Moreover, the ongoing depreciation of the local currency has exacerbated operational challenges, particularly for smallholder farmers who rely heavily on affordable inputs and financing.”
Zakariya expressed concern over the introduction of new taxes, which he says could indirectly impact small-scale traders and farmers.
He also said the budget also failed to address concerns about the Intermediated Money Transfer Tax (IMTT), which farmers said continues to erode their hard earned money.
“The budget introduces tax reforms affecting the broader business environment, including measures to formalise the informal sector,” Zakariysa said.
“These policies could indirectly impact agriculture, especially for small-scale traders and farmers involved in cash-based transactions.
“Sadly, the contentious issue of the IMTT has not been addressed. This continues to erode farmers’ cash flows.”
Edward Dune, Tobacco Farmers Union Trust deputy president, echored Zakariya’s sentiments saying that the budget failed to address issues of productivity.
“We do not seem to have adequate resources to stimulate agricultural productivity,” Dune said.
“The budget statement sounds like a ritual to announce taxes. How do we balance high taxation and food and nutrition security?
“What happens if taxation fails? We do not see where this budget is addressing production issues.
“We thought the budget could explore avenues to produce adequate food compared to funding government expenditure.
“By so doing the nation tends to create room for the donor community to chip in with pretence to assist especially the rural communities.
“We expected provision for sustainable development funding along rural environment.”
Tobacco Farmer Talk founder, Phineas Mukomberanwa, said the major challenge facing the agriculture industry was lack of policy implementation.
“The challenge is implementation,” Mukomberanwa said.
“While these measures are promising, history reminds us that implementation often lags. For example, -the US$60 million support fund for -tobacco growers announced in previous budgets never materialised.
“It is crucial for the government to ensure these plans translate into action, with clear accountability and timelines.
At TFT, we stand ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to make these measures a reality, a strong, sustainable, and profitable tobacco industry is not just a vision, it is a necessity for Zimbabwe’s economic future.”