In a decisive move to safeguard agricultural productivity and bolster food security, the Zimbabwean government has announced the suspension of customs duty on fertiliser imports for a year. This measure, outlined under Statutory Instrument 166 of 2023, is aimed at mitigating the looming challenges posed by input shortages and the effects of El Niño in the 2023/24 farming season.
Streamlining Fertiliser Access
The duty waiver is exclusive to approved importers licensed by the Ministry of Agriculture in consultation with the Ministries of Industry and Commerce, and the fertiliser manufacturing sector. Importers will be restricted to quantities specified in the schedule of the statutory instrument. This ensures that only credible players can access this incentive while preventing market exploitation.
Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka emphasized that those selling fertilisers at inflated prices will face penalties, including the reversal of the duty suspension. This oversight mechanism is essential to maintain affordability for farmers, who are grappling with rising input costs due to currency depreciation.
Timely Intervention Amid Looming Challenges
Zimbabwe’s agriculture faces increasing costs and climate-induced uncertainties, with El Niño predicted to disrupt the region’s rainfall patterns. The suspension aligns with broader efforts to support the Agricultural Recovery Plan, which aims to achieve food self-sufficiency and sustainability. Additionally, the government is working to stabilize the agricultural input supply chain and cushion farmers from economic shocks.
This initiative complements other government efforts, such as supporting local fertiliser manufacturing and introducing targeted subsidies, to enhance agricultural resilience. Industry stakeholders have praised the intervention, citing its potential to avert a supply crisis and sustain production targets.
