The Role Of Policy Analysis In The Institutional Framework Of Zimbabwe's Agricultural Sector

Abstract

Agricultural institutions responsible for policy analysis and policy advice play an equally important role in agricultural development as other supportive institutions. The role of agricultural institutions servicing commercial agriculture in Zimbabwe between 1890 and 1980 is well documented by Rukuni (1990). The post-independence strategy of extending and restructuring supportive institutions (research, extension, credit and marketing institutions), and the resultant success in smallholder production has been highlighted by Rolirback (1987) and Blackie (1986). It is clearly demonstrated in the 1980-85 period that public sector investment for institutional support towards agricultural production and marketing services is capable of stimulating production and marketing incentives for smallholders. At the same time, the weakening and/or withdrawal of key public services and support institutions due to budgetary constraints in the 1985-90 period has been partly responsible for declining productivity (World Bank, 1992). In particular, this has in recent years, resulted in a steady erosion of the effectiveness of most of the agricultural services provided by the agricultural Ministry.