Zim pushes for reduction in fertiliser imports

HARARE – The government is working on a five- year road map aimed at significantly reducing fertiliser imports over the next five years through capacitating local manufacturers, Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza has said.

The country, whose economy is largely agro-based has been importing significant quantities of fertiliser for many years as local companies struggled to meet demand largely due to foreign currency shortages.

While Zimbabwe spent nearly US$662 million on fertiliser imports in the past seven years, with the Government, which supports farmers though state assisted farming programmes, being the largest procurer, local companies have not benefitted much.

Had the local industry been adequately supported, the country would have spent US$400 million, which is less US$262 million, according to the Five Year Fertiliser Import Substitution Roadmap document. Observers say Government investment, through Command Agriculture and Presidential Inputs Schemes, will continue naturally to benefit the local agriculture value chains, together with local companies instead of foreign firms.

Zimbabwe’s demand for fertiliser in a normal farming season stands around 600, 000 tonnes, of which 70 percent goes towards Government farming programmes.

“I am working on a domestication of local production strategy in fertiliser and other products including pharmaceuticals, cotton, leather, sugar and tobacco,” Dr Nzenza told our sister publication Business Weekly. – THE HERALD, Zimbabwe.