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Gibson Mhaka
IN a development which shows significant growth and development potential for the country’s agricultural sector, the Cabinet has received and approved an update on the strategies being made to ensure food security, including the current status of grain reserves and future plans for crop production.
In his post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka presented a comprehensive report outlining the 2023/24 Summer Crops Marketing, Food Security Outlook to March 2025, 2024, Winter Crops Production, and the 2024/2025 Summer Season Plan.
He said the current grain stock at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) stands at 253 665 metric tonnes, with 235 142 metric tonnes being wheat while the balance is for maize and traditional grains.
“Cabinet highlights that a total of 1 036 721 metric tonnes, comprising 852 260 metric tonnes of maize, 184 121 metric tonnes of wheat and 340 metric tonnes of wheat flour were imported by the private sector as of 20 November 2024. To date, 885 import permits have been issued to 423 companies to import 4 430 280 metric tonnes of maize against the deficit of 1 million metric tonnes,” said Dr Muswere.
He said the Government continues to monitor volumes of imports, stocks at millers, import prices, and import sources ahead of the festive season in order to eliminate arbitrage opportunities.
“The nation is also being advised that a total of 563 961 metric tonnes of wheat have been harvested to date from the Winter Cereals Production Plan. Of this total, 91 149 metric tonnes have been delivered to the Grain Marketing Board, with 83 149 metric tonnes being from the Agricultural Rural Development Authority.
“Water availability and grazing conditions have begun to respond to the recent rains. Feeds have been distributed to 27 districts in order to support 107 387 cattle. Communities have mobilized resources to complement Government efforts,” said Minister Muswere.
Minister Muswere said the Summer Plan aims to increase production of 2024/2025 season cereals to 3 274 200 metric tonnes from 744 271 metric tonnes in the 2023/2024 season.
“The overall production volumes of major crops are expected to increase by 347 percent. 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 all 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,” said Dr Muswere.
He adds: Of the total hectarage, 635 584 hectares is targeted for the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Climate-Proofed Presidential Inputs Supply Scheme, 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”.
Turning to cotton, Minister Muswere said a total of 427 550 farmers will be supported through contract farming with a target 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 percent more than 112 445 growers who registered during the same period in 2023.
“Of these farmers’ hectares, some 93 percent is being produced under contract from 27 registered contractors for the 2024/2025 season. The total area transplanted as of 20 November 2024 is 43 814 hectares, compared to 41 699 hectares planted in 2023,” he said.
Online Reporter