Story by Stanley James
Zimbabwe’s resource mobilisation for food aid in the wake of an El Nino-induced drought is on course as authorities step up the distribution of grain to vulnerable communities.
Presenting the post-cabinet media briefing in Harare this Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere said Zimbabwe’s El Nino-induced drought strategies and measures for mitigation and resilience building are on track.
“Generally, the resilience building plan entails 100 percent agroecological matching of crops together with 100 percent adoption of Pfumvudza/ Intwasa with supplementary irrigation where possible at critical, stages by all the households and capacitation of institutions, workers and farmers, regarding contingency measures for cereals.
“The government will import 300 000 metric tonnes of maize while grain movements from areas with surplus to areas with deficit will be facilitated by the Grain Marketing Board.
“This is in addition to the wheat-based food security strategy which will contribute over 500 000 metric tonnes to the strategic grain reserves contributing to the maximum of social welfare requirements of 780 000 metric tonnes.
The government also outlined additional food security interventions.
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka said, “Focus will be on how to tackle the entire situation including the need to increase cereal production with what we have and forge ahead with measures to sustain the food security within the country. Therefore, we are working with all the relevant partners to boost food security in the country.”
Cabinet further approved the implementation of the Heritage-Based Education Framework
Dr Muswere said, “Regarding the implementation of the curriculum or programmes infrastructure, the cabinet wishes to highlight that the implementation plan for the Heritage-Based Education 2024-2030 Curriculum Framework provides guidance in the discovery of a broad-based and inclusive quality primary and secondary education.”
Progress on mining sector projects was also outlined.
“The Minister of Mines and Mining Development Honourable Winston Chitando reported progress on projects under his purview as follows; construction of platinum group minerals concentrator at Karo Platinum Mine which is 40 percent complete, the Dinson Iron and Steel Company Carbon Steel Plant which is 95 percent complete including the re-development of the Burnete and Southwell Shafts at Pickstone Peerless Mine which as at 20 percent of completion,” said Dr Muswere.
Other takeaways from the cabinet briefing include a report on the visit by a delegation from the Vitronic Machine Vision Middle East to Zimbabwe and a progress report on the first 100-day cycle of 2024.
