Importance of agriculture to the economy
Agriculture is the predominant sector of the Zimbabwean economy, with approximately 80% of the population dependent on it for their livelihood. In 1991, agriculture contributed 20% of the GDP, about one-third coming from the subsistence farmers on communal lands, and employed 67% of the labour force. The principal cash crops are tobacco, maize, cotton, coffee and sugar, while wheat, soybeans and groundnuts are also cultivated. Beef production is also an important economic activity, and agriculture supplies about 50% of raw materials for the manufacturing sector.
The Second Five-Year Development Plan (19901995) projects a growth rate of the agricultural sector of 3.5%, allowing for both national food security and increased opportunities for jobs and exports.
Sectoral Contributions to GDP and Employment 1991
Source: Europa World Yearbook, 1994
