Cabinet has approved wide-ranging reductions in licences, permits, levies and fees in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, a move aimed at lowering the cost of doing business and stimulating growth across crops, horticulture, fisheries and fertiliser sub-sectors.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Hon Soda Zhemu said the decision follows a broader Government reform agenda adopted in July 2025 to improve the ease of doing business.
“Cabinet considered and approved the review of licences, permits, levies and fees in the agricultural sub-sectors comprising crops, horticulture, fisheries and fertiliser, in line with the decision to implement business reforms across key sectors of the economy,” he said.
He added that the reforms are designed to reduce the cost of doing business, increase competitiveness, enhance the viability of enterprises and enable the growth of the Zimbabwean economy.
Under the new measures, contractor registration fees under the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) have been reduced from US$1 000 to US$250, while trader registration fees have been slashed from US$1 000 to US$100.
Government has also cut the cost of effluent discharge from US$27 000 to US$13 500 and reduced pesticide registration fees from US$300 to US$150.
In a major boost to the fisheries sub-sector, Cabinet removed the 15,5 percent Value Added Tax on fish and fish products, halved lake lease fees charged by the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority from US$30 000 to US$15 000, and scrapped fish harvest fees previously set at US$7,50 per tonne.
“Cabinet approved the streamlining of duplicated and overlapping regulatory licences and permits, removed unnecessary levies and fees and lowered unjustifiably high charges,” said Minister Soda Zhemu.
He noted that cross-cutting levies, including local authority development levies and water levies, were also reviewed and will be standardised, with a comprehensive schedule to be gazetted after further refinements.
Cabinet also endorsed a raft of structural policy measures to support the sector, including widening punitive measures against agricultural theft.
“Deterrent and punitive fines for thefts in the agriculture sector will be expanded to cover all aspects of agricultural produce and equipment, including fisheries,” he said.
He added that Government will waive import licence requirements for agricultural equipment spare parts intended for farmers’ own use and review dam construction regulations to encourage private sector investment.
Meanwhile, Cabinet also approved a new governance framework for the energy sector to strengthen regulation, protect consumers and support the transition to renewable energy.
“Cabinet adopted principles for statutory instruments and regulations designed to enhance regulatory oversight, improve consumer protection, expand access to electricity and support the transition towards renewable energy,” he said.
The new framework aligns with the Zimbabwe National Energy Compact launched in 2025 and is expected to improve energy security, efficiency and resilience in line with Vision 2030 objectives.
Story by Jeremiah Gora
