Policies Governing Trade of Maize in Zimbabwe and the Effect on Production and Trade Volume

Abstract

The study focuses on policies on maize production and subsequent trade volumes in Zimbabwe for the period 2009 to 2020. The analysis takes the form of comparison of the pre and post-policy implementation situations and infer on effectiveness. Production and trade data have been used to do the comparison of the two periods. The study finds out that Zimbabwe has well developed policies that deal with the production and trade of the said crop. As such it has been able to produce and trade in these crops. However, despite well developed policies and subsequent trade, the country continues to import the bulk of its food for local consumption due to implementation challenges that render the whole effort of policy formulation ineffective. The study recommends that in order to enhance food security in the country, and subsequent increase in trade volumes, close monitoring of policy implementation is necessary. A policy should run its full cycle before another one is implemented so as to assess effectiveness, thereby avoiding overlapping policies in the maize sector. The study has potential to influence the instituting of a Maize Research and Trade Centre that has the potential to be the key player in maize production and trade business in the country.