Govt Slashes Licences, Fees And Levies To Make Farming More Competitive

The government has moved to cut licences, permits, levies and fees across the agricultural sectors, including crops, horticulture, fisheries and fertiliser, after Cabinet approved a review on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda said the review is designed to lower the cost of doing business, boost competitiveness and improve the viability of enterprises. Said Soda:

“Cabinet approved the streamlining of duplicated and overlapping regulatory licences and permits, removed unnecessary levies and fees, and lowered unjustifiably high levies and fees for the agricultural sub-sectors comprising crops, horticulture, fisheries and fertiliser.”

The Agricultural Marketing Authority’s contractor registration fees for crops have been cut from US$1,000 to US$250, while trader registration fees have dropped from US$1,000 to US$100. The cost of effluent discharge has also been halved, from US$27,000 to US$13,500.

The Pesticide Registration fee has been reduced from US$300 to US$150, and National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority lake lease fees have been cut from US$30,000 to US$15,000.

Additionally, the 15.5 per cent Value Added Tax on fish and fish product sales has been removed, along with the US$7.50 per tonne Fish Harvest fees. Said Soda:

“Cabinet also reviewed cross-cutting licences, permits, levies and fees that have a significant impact beyond the crops, horticulture, fisheries and fertiliser sub-sectors and relate to the standardisation of Local Authorities Development Levy, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Water Levy, and Joint Venture Lease fees.

“The reviewed licences, permits and fees will be subjected to further refinements, and a comprehensive schedule will be duly gazetted.”

Cabinet has also decided to expand deterrent and punitive fines for theft in the agricultural sector, extending them beyond livestock to cover all types of produce and equipment, including fisheries.

The government will waive the requirement for import licences on agricultural equipment spare parts for a farmer’s personal use, and regulations around dam construction will be reviewed to encourage individuals and the private sector to invest in building private dams.

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