The Illusion of Agricultural Prosperity SADC Leaders Duped by Zimbabwe’s Showcase Farm

23 August, 2024

During a recent visit to Zimbabwe, leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) were treated to what appeared to be a triumphant display of agricultural success. The tour included a stop at a flourishing farm that was presented as a testament to Zimbabwe’s agricultural renaissance. However, beneath the surface of this grand spectacle lies a far more troubling reality. The farm showcased to SADC leaders belongs to none other than Zimbabwe’s president, a fact that casts a long shadow over the authenticity of the visit. 

The leaders were shown a picture-perfect image of green fields, well-fed livestock, and thriving crops, all designed to create the impression that Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is on the path to recovery after years of decline. Yet, this carefully curated display is far from representative of the nation’s broader agricultural landscape.

In reality, Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector is struggling. The collapse of commercial farming, which began with the chaotic land reforms in the early 2000s, has left the country with a severe shortage of food and agricultural productivity. The showcased farm, heavily subsidised and supported by the state, is a rare exception in a country where most farms are languishing under poor management, lack of inputs, and inadequate infrastructure. The farm in question is not just any farm it is a personal project of the president, heavily funded and meticulously maintained to serve as a propaganda tool. While this farm may indeed be productive, it operates under conditions that are far removed from those of the average Zimbabwean farmer. With access to the best resources, top-quality inputs, and government-backed support, it is hardly surprising that this farm is flourishing.

The success of one farm, particularly one owned by the head of state, does not equate to the revival of an entire sector. The president’s farm is a bubble, an insulated environment that bears little resemblance to the realities faced by most farmers in Zimbabwe. For the majority, farming remains a daily struggle against poor soils, erratic rainfall, and a lack of financial support.The decision to showcase this farm to SADC leaders raises serious concerns about the transparency and honesty of Zimbabwe’s government.

By presenting this farm as a symbol of national success, the president is not only misleading his regional counterparts but also undermining the credibility of Zimbabwe’s agricultural recovery.SADC leaders left Zimbabwe with the impression that the country is on the brink of an agricultural boom, but the truth is far more sobering. The majority of Zimbabwe’s farmers continue to face severe challenges, from land degradation to the impact of climate change, and the sector is far from the vibrant and thriving industry that the president’s farm suggests.

If SADC leaders had been shown the true state of agriculture in Zimbabwe, they would have witnessed a very different scene. Across the country, smallholder farmers are struggling to make ends meet, often without access to the necessary tools, seeds, and fertilisers to ensure a good harvest. Many farms are underutilised or lie fallow, while others are barely productive enough to sustain the families that depend on them.

The government’s focus on presenting a false image of success does little to address these underlying issues. Instead of investing in genuine agricultural development that benefits all farmers, resources are being funnelled into maintaining a facade that serves the ruling elite's interests.

The visit by SADC leaders to Zimbabwe should serve as a wake-up call to the region. Rather than being swayed by carefully staged displays, there is a need for a more honest and transparent assessment of the situation on the ground. Only by confronting the true challenges facing Zimbabwe’s agriculture can the region hope to support real, sustainable development. Zimbabwe’s leaders may have succeeded in pulling the wool over the eyes of their regional counterparts this time, but the long-term consequences of such deception are dire. The future of Zimbabwe’s agriculture depends not on the success of one highly privileged farm but on the collective progress of all its farmers. It’s time for SADC to demand the truth and work together towards a genuine agricultural recovery that benefits the entire nation.

About the author 
Newton Tapiwa Mpofu is a Political Activist based in the UK.