Online Reporter
We publish here the 21st post-Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda, in Harare yesterday.
Cabinet noted and approved the Nutrition Financing Strategy, which was presented by Honourable Vice President Dr Chiwenga, as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Food Security and Nutrition.
Cabinet noted with satisfaction the progress that has been achieved in improving food security and nutrition, resulting in the reduction of hunger across the country.
The country’s Global Hunger Index score improved from 35,5 in 2000 to 20,9 in 2025, attributable to effective interventions such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa; improved access to essential inputs; the Food Deficit and Drought Mitigation Programme; and interventions by the First Lady, Her Excellency Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, in championing local traditional food systems.
Cabinet noted that the nutrition gains are threatened by the increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and fast foods, leading to rising rates of obesity, overweight and diet-related non-communicable diseases.
The Nutrition Financing Strategy will, therefore, increase resources towards nutrition and non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention programmes through the deployment of resources from sugar-sweetened beverages and fast-food tax revenue.
The funds will be allocated across the following strategic pillars: Health and Nutrition; Lands, Agriculture and Food Systems; Coordination and Programme Management; Human Capital Development; Social Protection; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Advocacy and Communication; and Research, Development and Innovation.
The pillars comprise specific ministries, departments and agencies that will implement the prioritised action plans through a multi-sectoral architecture.
The specific planned interventions include, among others: scaling up nutrition (SUN) activities with emphasis on the first 1 000 days from pregnancy; primary healthcare non-communicable disease prevention programmes; food fortification and food safety initiatives; nutrient-dense food production; traditional and climate-resilient food systems; support for smallholder farmers; school health and nutrition programmes; nutrition education and skills development; youth nutrition and adolescent health initiatives; community prevention messaging campaigns; behaviour change communication programmes; consumer education campaigns; nutrition surveillance systems; and nutrition research and evidence generation.
Going forward, technical nutrition policies will be translated into accessible and widespread public information.
2.0 THE ZIMBABWE NATIONAL QUALITY POLICY 2 (2026–2030)
Cabinet noted and approved the Zimbabwe National Quality Policy 2 (2026–2030), which was presented by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Ambassador Dr. Frederick Shava, as acting chairman of the Cabinet Committee on National Development Planning.
The Zimbabwe National Quality Policy 2 (2026–2030) will provide a coordinated framework for strengthening Zimbabwe’s quality infrastructure and engender a competitive and fair business environment, thereby enabling local companies to compete favourably in regional and international markets.
The policy will ensure that goods are produced to agreed standards of measurement through accurate testing and certification.
Ultimately, consumers will be protected from unsafe or substandard products.
The Zimbabwe National Quality Policy 2 is anchored on six pillars as follows: standardisation; metrology; accreditation; conformity assessment; technical regulations; and quality promotion and use.
Key interventions include, among others, the enactment of a Standards Act to recognise the Standards Association of Zimbabwe as the National Standards Body; the development and implementation of programmes to promote micro, small and medium enterprises; and strengthening the National Metrology Institute under the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC).
Additionally, the interventions include offering accreditation services for testing, calibration, certification and inspection bodies, and the development of a National Conformity Assessment Framework, the National Technical Regulatory Framework and a structured National Quality Awareness Programme.
A comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework will underpin policy implementation and results measurement.
3.0 UPDATE ON THE MINING CADASTRAL REGISTRATION SYSTEM
Cabinet received and noted the update on the Mining Cadastral Registration System, as presented by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honourable Dr Polite Kambamura.
The Mining Cadastre Management Information System will improve competitiveness in the mining industry in order to attract increased investment through strengthened governance in the administration of mining rights.
To date, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has a repository of over 60 000 licences, spanning blocks of claims, special grants, mining leases, exclusive prospecting orders and sites, among other permits.
The computerised mining title platform will address technical challenges experienced, including disputes arising from overlapping titles and processing delays.
4.0 PRINCIPLES FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY AND MARKETING ACT
Cabinet received and approved the principles for the amendment of the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Act, which was presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development.
The resulting Act will address several changes that have occurred in the nature of the industry since the last amendment in 1997.
More specifically, the amendment will allow the Tobacco Research Board to trade under a name which reflects its expanded scope, including conducting research on both manufactured and unmanufactured tobacco products.
The proposed amendments will further enhance the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board’s regulatory measures for the industry and align the current Act with the provisions of the Public Entities and Corporate Governance Act and the Public Finance Management Act.
5.0 PRINCIPLES FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE TOBACCO RESEARCH ACT
Cabinet considered and approved the principles for the amendment of the Tobacco Research Act [Chapter 18:21], as presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka. The amendment has been necessitated by the need to reflect the growing and diverse nature of tobacco and associated crop research and production, to provide support to farmers through extension and capacity building, to undertake research on manufactured tobacco, and to provide research services to farmers and other stakeholders.
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