Zimbabwe is spending more than US$4 billion annually on imports at a time when local farmers and manufacturers have the capacity to produce some of the goods entering the country, raising concerns about the long-term impact on domestic production, employment creation and rural incomes.

For thousands of small-scale farmers, the issue goes beyond trade figures and economic statistics.

It is about access to markets and whether locally produced goods can compete for shelf space against imported alternatives.

Farmers said  strengthening local supply chains could help keep more money circulating within the economy while creating opportunities for farmers, transport operators, millers and other businesses linked to agricultural production

Indigenous Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (IGMAZ) chairman Tinashe Prosper Chiname said Zimbabwe could not continue spending billions importing products that can be produced locally.

"Zimbabwe cannot continue bleeding billions in foreign currency importing products and raw materials that can be produced locally. government has already indicated that the country is losing in excess of US$4 billion annually through unnecessary imports. This trajectory is economically unsustainable and strategically unviable," he said.

The association said local grain production remains a critical source of income for thousands of households across the country.

Chiname said indigenous millers process more than 900 000 metric tonnes of maize annually from rural communities and a further 300 000 metric tonnes of traditional grains such as sorghum and millet.

"As indigenous grain millers, our grinding mills spread across the country process over 900 000 metric tonnes of maize produced by rural households annually and a further 300 000 metric tonnes of traditional grains such as sorghum and millet also produced by rural households, thus generating viable business for small-scale milling entrepreneurs," he said.

The grain milling sector is closely linked to farming communities, transport operators, agro-dealers and other businesses along the agricultural value chain.

Economist and agricultural  Ashok Chakravarti has previously noted that strong domestic agricultural value chains are important for economic stability as they create markets for producers and reduce dependence on external supply sources.

Chiname said policies promoting local sourcing were helping create a stronger production base.

"Critically, the legislation protects local farmers by enforcing that food processors buy most of their raw ingredients locally and also minimises commodity trading and curbs speculative activity in the sector," he said.

He said proceeds generated through the current framework were already being directed towards irrigation development and agricultural infrastructure.

"We are encouraged that proceeds from the levy framework are already being channelled towards irrigation development and agricultural infrastructure thereby strengthening climate resilience and boosting local production. This is a clear demonstration that the policy is not merely about revenue collection, but contributing towards building long term national productive capacity," he said.

Agriculture remains one of Zimbabwe's largest employers and a major source of livelihoods in rural communities.

In many districts, grain sales provide income for school fees, household needs and investment into future farming seasons.

Chiname said continued reliance on imports would weaken local production systems.

"The reality is that these endless grain imports mainly benefit traders and foreign producers while weakening local agriculture and domestic industrial growth," he said

He added that protecting local production was critical for long-term economic growth.

"Any attempts to flood the market with cheap imports at the expense of local farmers directly attacks the foundations of the national vision of empowering indigenous Zimbabweans to produce, industrialise and control national value chains," said Chiname.

He said Zimbabwe's future depended on building strong local industries supported by domestic agriculture.

"Zimbabwe must never become a supermarket economy that survives entirely on imported goods while local farmers, industries and communities collapse," he said.

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries said the country remains rich in agricultural and mineral resources, but much of that potential is yet to be converted into manufacturing inputs.

"Zimbabwe has significant agricultural and mining endowments that remain largely unconverted into manufacturing inputs. This is both the sector's most significant structural failure and its most significant untapped opportunity," CZI said

"The self-reinforcing loop is explicit: imported inputs weaken local suppliers, weak suppliers discourage domestic investment, and low investment perpetuates import dependence".