Cabinet institutes measures to guarantee food security for all

Following the presentation of the 2023 Performance Evaluation Results at today’s sitting, Cabinet considered and approved the outcomes as presented by the independent consultants, Best Practices (Pvt.) Ltd.

The professionally conducted performance evaluation covers the following: 21 Ministries, Departments and Agencies; 10 Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution; 112 State-Owned Enterprises; 8 Independent Commissions and 92 Local Authorities. The results of the performance evaluation will be made public at the Performance Contracts Signing ceremony scheduled for 15 March, 2024.

2.0 THE CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 100-DAY CYCLE PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR THE YEAR 2023

Cabinet approved the Consolidated Report on the Implementation of 100-Day Cycle Priority Projects for the Year 2023 as presented by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Honourable Lovemore Matuke.

The nation is advised that a total of four hundred and ninety-three (493) projects were implemented under the 100-Day Cycle Priority Projects for 2023. The priority projects were selected on the basis of alignment to Vision 2030. The majority of the projects, 348 in total, surpassed set targets, while 61 performed within the agreed range.

Among the key achievements which cut across the 14 National Development Strategy 1 thematic areas are the following:

Construction of a baobab juice plant at Mutare Teacher’s College in Manicaland Province;
Establishment of a bio-diesel production plant in Mutoko, Mashonaland East Province;
Upgrading of 30 schools through construction of new classroom blocks and ablution facilities, drilling of boreholes and solarisation;
Establishment of 12 boarding schools, and registration of 40 satellite schools;
Decentralisation of e-passport services to Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland Central provinces;
Construction of magistrates courts at Epworth and Lupane, as well as Mutawatawa, Gwanda and Chiredzi;
Establishment of ICT laboratories at schools in Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Midlands, Masvingo, Manicaland and Matabeleland North provinces;
Deployment of 92 base stations and the establishment of 40 Community Information Centres countrywide;
Construction of a migrant resource centre in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province;
Refurbishment of infrastructure in Pretoria, South Africa; Maputo, Mozambique; and Berlin in Germany;
Modernisation of National FM, Power FM and Classic 263 radio stations;
Construction of primary health care clinics at Cowdray Park in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and Mataga in Midlands Province;
Installation of radiology and radiotherapy equipment at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and at all provincial and central hospitals;
Funding of 80 micro, small and medium enterprises;
The expansion of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare Metropolitan Province;
tRehabilitation of 70.45 kilometres of the Harare-Beitbridge Road, with a cumulative 470.45 km having been opened to traffic;
Rehabilitation of the Binga-Siakobvu Road;
Completion and commissioning of Hwange 7 and 8 Expansion Project;
Completion and commissioning of Chivhu Dam in Mashonaland East Province;
Rehabilitation of 182 dip tanks across all rural provinces;
Distribution of 244 982 chicks in all provinces under the Presidential Rural Poultry Scheme;
Shaft expansion at Pickstone Peerless Mine; and
Construction of the Sinomine Bikita Minerals processing plant;

3.0 REPORT ON THE PRELIMINARY FOOD SECURITY OUTLOOK: APRIL 2024-MARCH 2025

Cabinet also considered and adopted the report on the Preliminary Food Security Outlook: April 2024-March 2025 as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Hon AJ Masuka.

Cabinet wishes to advise the nation that in light of the El-Nino-induced drought, various measures are being instituted to guarantee food security for all and ensure that no one dies of hunger. Among other issues considered, Cabinet discussed the importance of considering more hectarage for growing rice in view of increased rice consumption by the citizens. Cabinet also emphasised the need to support and promote local wheat production for direct consumption for a swap with maize in order to meet maize demand for the nation.

In light of the foregoing, Cabinet has approved as follows:

The Food Security Outlook Report to March 2025 to facilitate winter cereals production planning;
The food security strategy based on the comparative and competitive advantages of wheat this winter;
•That the consumption of 7.5kg per person per month be used immediately for social welfare and be adjusted after October to 8.5kg per person per month;
The purchase of local grain at import parity price of US$390 per tonne in-order to mop up excess local grain;
Duty waiver on the importation of rice and potato seed;
Importation of Genetically Modified maize for stock feed, under strict supervised milling and distribution;
Duty free importation of maize, rice and cooking oil by households with effect from July 2024;
Re-activation of the Grain Mobilisation Committee.

4.0 REPORT ON THE INAUGURAL JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE AND THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS: 19 to 22 FEBRUARY, 2024

Cabinet also received the report on the Inaugural Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation between the Republics of Zimbabwe and Belarus, as presented by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Hon A Murwira.

Cabinet informs the nation that Zimbabwe hosted the Republic of Belarus for the inaugural Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation from 19 to 22 February, 2024, in Harare. The commission welcomed the convening of a Business Forum on the margins of the meeting, to provide the captains of industry of Zimbabwe and Belarus an opportunity to cross-pollinate ideas on business opportunities in the two countries.

The nation is informed that the Inaugural Joint Commission for Cooperation discussed the following key issues, among others:

The call for the removal of the unjustified illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West;
The pledge by the Republic of Belarus to support Zimbabwe’s bid for the non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council;
The acknowledgement of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the institutions of higher learning of the two countries, which saw seventy-two (72) memoranda being signed in 2023 alone;
The expression of interest by the Republic of Belarus to organise supplies of medicines and medical equipment to the Republic of Zimbabwe on mutually beneficial terms;
The signing of a roadmap on Establishment of the Joint Working Group on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Zimbabwe; and
The enhancement of cooperation in the areas of transport, tourism, local government, commerce and industry.

5.0 REPORT ON THE ANTALYA DIPLOMACY FORUM

Cabinet received and noted a report on the Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Antalya, Turkiye from the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Amon Murwira.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum was held from 1 to 3 March 2024. The nation is informed that during the Forum, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade noted the need for Africa to produce enough food for its needs. He also underscored the need to invest in modern technologies and energy in order to promote economic growth and sustainable development.

On the sidelines of the Forum, the Minister held bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Mozambique and Turkiye during which they discussed issues of mutual interest. The Minister also met with the President of the Turkish Business Council, Mr. Nail Olpak.

The nation is further informed that the Minister had a chance to visit two Turkish companies, which proposed to partner the country through supplying solar packages for homes and offices, and the establishment of an industrial park for solar energy. An agro-processing company also proposed to construct a farm-to-fork model project with a zero-waste strategy. The project would have a capacity to process 100 cattle and 300 sheep during an 8-hour shift.

6.0 BUS ACCIDENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Mhona updated Cabinet on the road traffic accident involving a Simplex Transport and Logistics bus that occurred in Western Cape, South Africa on 9 March, 2024 in which 13 Zimbabweans lost their lives and 12 persons were injured. The bus which was enroute to Cape Town collided with a haulage truck.

The Zimbabwe Embassy in South Africa is working with authorities who are still investigating the cause of the accident.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, on its part, is making efforts to engage the bus company to establish the compliance status of the vehicle and its driver.

The nation will be kept informed of the corrective measures that the Ministry will take in the matter in-order to demonstrate and consolidate its commitment to improved road safety and security.

In the meantime, Cabinet wishes to express its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to the injured Zimbabweans.