Politicking Maize Production Subsidies, Discordant Policing and Maize Self Sufficiency in Zimbabwe
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Abstract
This paper discusses the main challenges faced by Zimbabwe in attaining self sufficiency in maize production. Almost every household in Zimbabwe consume the staple maize meal on nearly every day basis and therefore failing to achieve self sufficiency would force the country to import maize thereby straining its limited foreign currency and unnecessarily crowding out more important imports like fuel and healthcare drugs. Focusing on experiences, views and opinions from three districts in Mashonaland East province namely Marondera, Seke and Goromonzi districts, the study sought to establish the main factors contributing to reduced maize production and productivity. From household surveys, observation, in-depth key informants, analysis of current literature, statistics, policy papers and observations the major inhibitors of achieving self sufficiency are politicisation of agricultural programmes, ad hoc, piecemeal and discordant agriculture policing and general lack of political willpower to improve both maize production and productivity. It is recommended that the government should avoid using of politically exposed persons in fronting agricultural programmes who seek political benefits at the expense of productivity. It’s further suggested that the government should fund upstream agricultural input producers which are easier and cheaper to monitor and supervise and avoid individual farmer targeted subsidies. The government should also establish, capitalise and supervise a strategic maize hectarage which is under its direct control
Keywords
maize self sufficiency, producer price, agricultural subsidies, food imports
JEL: Q18
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