General

Duty-free machinery to boost agriculture

THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has expanded the list of import duty and Value Added Tax-free agricultural equipment, a move described by stakeholders as critical to transforming the sector for economic growth and prosperity.

The exemption of some of the agricultural machinery from paying duty comes at a time when preparations for the 2020/21 summer cropping season have started, with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement rolling out the Agricultural Recovery Plan aimed at boosting productivity.

Zimra yesterday announced that machinery such as manure spreaders, fertiliser distributors, hay balers, combine harvesters, machines for sorting eggs, machines for preparing animal feed, tractors and incubators for poultry, will be imported duty and VAT free.

Companies and individuals can also import wheat seed, potassium chloride or sulphate, cattle, live pure breeding pigs, goats and sheep, duty free.

In the statement, Zimra said when goods were imported for commercial purposes, importers were required to engage clearing agents registered with the tax collector.

Private individuals benefiting from the duty-free importations could clear commercial goods up to a value of US$1 000 over the counter without the need to engage the services of a clearing agent.....


 https://www.herald.co.zw/duty-free-machinery-to-boost-agriculture/

Postharvest Losses Still Major Challenge in East Africa

Smallholder farmers can reduce post-harvest losses and improve income by adopting better storage management practices and technologies.

According to Food and Agriculture Organisations (FAO) about one third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted representing a loss of 1.3 billion tonnes of food per year.

In Tanzania, results from different research studies demonstrate that farmers lose up to 40 per cent of the harvest through post-harvest losses.......

 http://allafrica.com/stories/201612270450.html

HOW INNOVATION IS STIMULATING AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA

Agriculture in Africa currently stands at the crossroads of persistent food shortages compounded by climate change threats. Communities in several African countries are battling food security, as many are not producing enough crops and grain to feed themselves, let alone to sell as surplus. Analysts believe that the effects of unemployment and the resulting increased crime rates can be halted by innovative agricultural solutions that include commercialising crop and livestock production.....