Almot Maqolo, Staff Writer 
THE Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) has reported that its Village Business Units (VBUs) have generated a promising US$65 797 in sales, showcasing the initiative’s effectiveness in promoting market-led farming and boosting rural livelihoods.
The VBUs, created to establish direct market linkages for small-scale farmers, are helping them reach new buyers and improve their incomes.
“We are committed to transforming smallholder agriculture by providing farmers with the resources and connections they need to thrive. This initiative supports both national economic goals and the livelihoods of thousands of Zimbabwean families,” AMA’s chief executive, Clever Isaya, stated.
Clever Isaya
In line with Zimbabwe’s Rural Development 8.0 strategy, AMA has facilitated the establishment of 66 VBUs. The government’s goal is to establish 35 000 VBUs by 2025, focusing on industrialising rural areas to foster economic growth and enhance living standards.
AMA’s efforts extend to regulatory support, ensuring that only licensed entities participate in agricultural markets. Through stringent by-laws, AMA oversees the registration and certification of all buyers, brokers, contractors, processors, and traders in the grain and oilseed industries.
This regulation helps prevent unlicensed dealers from disrupting the market and encourages smallholder farmers to sell and buy from licensed vendors.
AMA has also launched Cotton Input Distribution Points (CIDPs) across cotton-growing regions to facilitate early access to inputs for farmers. The authority has already set up 219 CIDP locations to ensure that farmers are prepared for the 2024-25 planting season as soon as the rains begin earnest.
For the upcoming cotton season, five fully registered contractors will support Zimbabwe’s cotton production goals, helping to meet the targeted 270 000 metric tonnes from 180 000 hectares.
This partnership between contractors and AMA is vital for financing production, supplying raw materials to local industries, and maintaining Zimbabwe’s competitiveness in regional and international cotton markets.
AMA’s initiatives, including VBUs and CIDPs, reflect a focused strategy that is proving to be a significant driver of economic opportunity and stability for Zimbabwe’s rural farming communities.
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