Towards the Implementation of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Plan (CAADP) in Zimbabwe: A Propositional Analysis of Key Activities Required for Pillar 1

Abstract

CAADP is the agricultural programme of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), which is therefore a programme of the African Union (AU). Established by the AU assembly in 2003, CAADP focuses on improving food security, nutrition, and increasing incomes in Africa's largely farming based economies. It aims to do this by raising agricultural productivity by at least 6% per year and increasing public investment in agriculture to 10% of national budgets per year. One of the key areas for agricultural and investment is pillar 1 and this paper using evidence and best practices from agriculture projects implemented in three districts in Zimbabwe propose some activities to achieve the goals of this Pillar. Zimbabwe is highly endowed with various natural resources, that if sustainably utilized can help in facilitating household food security. Of critical importance as leant from Wedza district is the pre-requisite of supporting all the activities along commodity value chains (input, production, post-harvest, processing, utilization and marketing) especially targeting crops and livestock that are the main activities in the economy of Zimbabwe covering the 70% of the habitants that reside in rural areas. There is also need to conserve the factors of production especially land that has been degraded and is now highly infertile due to continuous use without nutrient replenishment over the years. Low productivity is the order of the day in most communal areas and this is because of inadequate crop/animal husbandry, limited access to cash to buy inputs, limited access to inputs and commodity markets, complete reliance on rain fed agriculture and unsustainable management and utilization of natural resources. There is therefore need to design activities to address these constraints. Activities like conservation farming, beekeeping , organic farming which uses less inputs while conserving the resources like land, credit schemes to ensure capital to purchase inputs timely and linking the farmers to markets are a potential solution to the constraints faced by farmers. Value addition on all enterprises has not been explored by communities at a commercial level but it is a highly potential lucrative venture.