President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced a government-backed initiative that will make nearly US$2 billion available over the next ten years in the form of loans aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and mitigating the impact of climate change.
The initiative centers around the distribution of “productivity booster” kits—comprehensive irrigation packages tailored to support one hectare of farmland per beneficiary. These kits include essential equipment such as pumps, pipes, and sprinklers, designed to help farmers cope with the ongoing challenges posed by a changing climate.
Speaking at the official launch of the programme in Mazowe, Mnangagwa noted that the kits will primarily benefit small-scale tobacco farmers.
“My administration is committing US$1.98 billion over the next decade to fund the Productivity Booster Kit Programme,” he said. “In addition, five banks have pledged to offer supplementary working capital to support this initiative.”
In its initial phase, the programme is set to benefit 10,000 farmers, each receiving approximately US$6,000 to acquire the necessary equipment. According to the president, this move will not only reduce dependency on imported farming tools but also strengthen the domestic agricultural supply chain.
Mnangagwa highlighted the potential economic impact, stating that with these kits, A1 farmers could collectively produce up to 10 million tons annually, contributing an estimated US$6.14 billion to the sector’s GDP.
He also emphasized the broader goal of boosting irrigation capacity across the country to address the increasing frequency and severity of droughts, particularly those driven by climate phenomena like El Niño.
“To build resilience in our agricultural systems, we aim to bring 496,000 hectares under irrigation by 2030, with over 350,000 hectares designated for summer cereal crops,” the president stated.
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