Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
GOVERNMENT has set aside ZWG22 billion for the summer cropping season, with 60 percent of the budget being funded by the private sector.
This is part of a move to capitalise on the projected La Nina weather phenomenon, so as to increase hectarage and production of cereal crops, in the forthcoming summer cropping season for increased yields.
In a Post Cabinet Media briefing in Harare, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere said the summer cropping season production plan focuses on food, stock feed crops, oil seeds and industrial crops for local consumption and export.
“The target is to increase production of cereals from about 750 000 metric tonnes produced during the 2023/2024 summer season to over 3.2 million metric tonnes. The area under cereals is also expected to increase from about 2.3 million hectares during the 2023/2024 summer season to 2.5 million hectares. Maize production is expected to increase from about 635 000 metric tonnes in 2023/2024 summer season to 2.7 million metric tonnes. The average maize yield is also expected to increase from 0.8 metric tonnes per hectare in 2023/2024 summer season to 1.5 metric tonnes per hectare. Notably, the yield for traditional grains is expected to increase from an average of 180 kilogrammes per hectare during the 2023/2024 summer season to 800 kilogrammes per hectare,” he said.
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka said government is funding 40 percent of the budget, while the rest coming from the private sector.
In the spirit of the SADC summit, 37 roads which are being attended to in the greater Harare and three major roads that lead to the venue will meet the July 30 deadline.
“Rehabilitation of Old Mazowe Road is underway and the scope of works includes construction and landscaping of Old Mazowe Road from Westgate Traffic Circle (Roundabout) to Mt Hampden; the Loop Road and New Parliament Building access roads; and the New Parliament Boulevard to the intersection with the Bindura Road. Government is also rehabilitating Greater Harare roads and the scope of works includes rehabilitation, street lighting and landscaping of 37 roads in the Greater Harare area that link the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to the City, and also to Mt Hampden and New Parliament Building in particular. The overall progress of works is 90% and the target completion date is 30th July, 2024,” explained Dr Muswere.
Zimbabwe will also host the first regional forum on gastronomy tourism from the 26th to the 28th of this month in Victoria Falls.
“The main objectives of the Tourism Forum are to promote cultural. heritage, celebrate the diverse culinary traditions, and elevate the role of gastronomy in African tourism. His Excellency the President, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa will officially open the event and deliver the Keynote Address. Participants will be drawn from the SADC region and beyond. His Excellency the President and the First lady, Dr. A. Mnangagwa will be honoured by UN Tourism for their outstanding achievements in driving the gastronomy Tourism initiative in Zimbabwe, and Africa at large,” he added.
According to cabinet deliberations, the Grain Marketing Board will purchase all summer crops financed under the Presidential input programme and ARDA scheme as the buyer of last resort.
