‘Our Economic Policy will be predicated on our agriculture which is the mainstay…’ said Zimbabwe President EmmersonMnangagwa in his inaugural speech in November 2017, setting a new tone for agricultural development in the country.

While reiterating that the principles that led to land reform cannot be “challenged” or “reversed,” he called for a “commitment to the utilization of the land for national food security and for the recovery of our economy.”

Before 2000, Zimbabwe was known as the ‘breadbasket’ of Africa.

During that period, agriculture accounted for between 9-15% of the gross domestic product, and between 20-33% of export earnings.

Additionally, agriculture contributed over 60% of raw materials to agro-industries, with more than 70% Zimbabweans deriving their livelihoods from the sector. The 2011/2012 Poverty Income and Consumption Survey, a Zimbabwe Statistical.—  blog.wb.org/blogs