Story by Oleen Ndori
Government says the 2024 to 2025 summer cropping season is on course, with preparations progressing well across the country.
This week’s cabinet meeting deliberated on various topical issues, including the SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held last week to deliberate on lasting peace and security in the region.
“Cabinet received and noted a Report on the Southern African Community Development (SADC) Extraordinary Summit, which was held on 20 November 2024, in Harare., as presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Professor Amon Murwira. His Excellency the President Cde Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa chaired the Summit as the SADC Chairman.
“The Summit was attended by Heads of State and Government from Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Mozambique. Tanzania was represented by the President of Zanzibar. South Africa was represented by its Deputy President, while the Kingdom of Eswatini was represented at the level of Prime Minister; Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Seychelles, and Zambia participated at Ministerial level. The Summit considered the report on the Force Commander of SAMIDRC, which indicated that the Mission had provided stability in its area of operation, and the Summit urged Member States to continue contributing critical capabilities for the Mission to be a success.
“The Summit noted the report submitted by President Nyusi of the Republic of Mozambique, on the post-election political and security situation in Mozambique. The Summit commended the SADC Chair, His Excellency the President Cde Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa for convening of the Summit and for the excellent facilities that were put at the disposal of the visiting delegations,” said the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere.
Cabinet updated the nation on the summer cropping season along with the food distribution exercise which is underway.
“The Summer Plan aims to increase production of 2024/2025 cereals to 3 274 200 metric tonnes from 744 271 metric tonnes in the 2023/2024 season. Overall production volumes of major crops are expected to increase by 347% from 914 848 metric tonnes to 4 093 700 metric tonnes in the 2023/2024 season. The plan is to produce enough to feed the nation and to replenish the Strategic Grain Reserve. The country expects to receive normal to above normal rainfall during this season, and farmers have already started planting summer crops across the provinces. A total of 3 241 000 hectares is targeted to be planted to summer crops this season as follows: Maize, 1 800 000 hectares; Sorghum, 418 000 hectares; Pearl millet, 275 000 hectares; Finger Millet, 27 000 hectares; Soya beans, 77 000 hectares; Groundnuts, 385 000 hectares; Sugar Beans, 55 000 hectares; Roundnuts, 110 000 hectares; and African Pea, 93 500 hectares.
“Of the total hectarage, 635 584 hectares is targeted for the Climate- Proofed Presidential Inputs Supply Scheme (Pfumvudza/Intwasa), and the rest by CBZ, AFC, NMB and other banks; and by the private sector and individual farmers. Meanwhile, distribution of Presidential Inputs including cotton has commenced. Progress with the Silo expansion project is on course at the following depots: Kwekwe; Mutare Grain; Mhangura; Mvurwi; Timbermills; Lupane; and Rutenga. On cotton, a total of 427 550 farmers will be supported through contract farming with a target of covering an area of 278 750 hectares. The target production for tobacco during the 2024/2025 season is 300 million kilograms. Currently, 120 963 growers have registered for the 2024/2025 season, which is 8% more than 112 445 growers who registered during the same period in 2023. Of these farmers’ hectarage, some 93% is being produced under contract, from 27 registered contractors for the 2024/2025 season. The total area transplanted as at 20 November 2024, is 43 814 hectares compared to 41 699 hectares planted in 2023,” he added.
As Zimbabwe looks towards enhancing regional integration, cabinet also updated the nation on the ongoing public private partnerships project at the Forbes Border Post.
“Cabinet considered and approved the Public-Private Partnership project between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and Forbes Border Consortium on the Upgrading and Modernisation of Forbes Border Post, which was presented by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Honourable Professor Mthuli Ncube, as Chairman of the Public-Private Partnerships Committee. As part of the Second Republic’s relentless drive towards the modernisation of the country’s ports of entry, the Forbes Border Consortium has been contracted by the Government of Zimbabwe for the upgrading and modernisation of Forbes Border Post in Manicaland Province,” said Dr Muswere.
Cabinet also deliberated on amendments to the Postal and Telecommunications Act in line with international best practices.
