Cabinet on Tuesday approved a major review of licences, permits, levies, and fees in the agriculture sector, focusing on livestock, dairy, and stockfeeds.
The move follows President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent directive to improve the ease of doing business by reviewing costs across 12 key sectors within six months.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said the review is part of efforts to support economic growth and follows the President’s instructions.
Agriculture, a key part of Zimbabwe’s economy, has long been weighed down by high costs that hurt productivity.
In the beef industry, for example, farmers, abattoirs, and meat processors face multiple overlapping fees for permits, veterinary checks, meat grading, and more, often from different agencies.
These charges, many paid annually, have made it expensive for businesses, especially start-ups, to operate legally. The new reforms aim to consolidate and reduce these fees.
In the food processing sector, including bakeries, beverage makers, and small agro-processors, costs like inspection fees, certification, health licences, and local authority permits also contribute to high compliance costs. Said Muswere:
“In fulfilment of last week’s Cabinet directive and His Excellency the President’s instruction, Cabinet considered and approved the review of licences, permits, levies and fees subject to further refinements in the agriculture sector, focusing on livestock, dairy farming and stock-feeds sub-sectors.
“This is also in line with the implementation of the on-going case of ease-of-doing business reforms, which aims to reduce the cost of doing business and enhancing growth in the Zimbabwean economy.”
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