This will be at a prescribed price, which at this stage is still unknown. Wandile Sihlobo, agricultural economist and head of agribusiness research at the Agricultural Business Chamber, Agbiz, says in the short term, this action could ease price pressures for consumers, but it could disadvantage maize production in Zimbabwe on the long run.

This is because farmers would be reluctant to expand production in an environment where government policy is uncertain. Sihlobo is of the opinion that Zimbabwe will likely remain a net importer of maize, as investments are unlikely to flow in the sector. This would have other implications, such as the agricultural labour market where two-thirds of Zimbabweans are employed.

That was Wandile Sihlobo, agricultural economist and head of agribusiness research at the Agricultural Business Chamber, Agbiz. 

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