Chronicle Editor
Raymond jaravaza, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT will continue to monitor volumes of grain imports and stocks that are in the hands of millers as well as continuously examine import prices and import sources ahead of the festive season as part of efforts to eliminate arbitrage opportunities, which if left unchecked can result in artificial food shortages.
In his post Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said current grain stock at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) stands at 253 665 metric tonnes.
“Cabinet received and noted an update on the 2023/24 Summer Crops Marketing, Food Security Outlook to March 2025, 2024 Winter Crops Production, and the 2024/2025 Summer Season Plan, which was presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Masuka,” said Dr Muswere.
“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,”
Dr Muswere said 1 million tonnes of wheat flour was imported by the private sector as of November 20, 2024.
“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,” he said.
The minister said 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 tonnes.
“Government continues to monitor volumes of imports, stocks at millers, import prices and import sources ahead of the festive season to eliminate arbitrage opportunities,” he said.
A total of 563 961 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,” said Dr Muswere.
He said that water availability and grazing conditions have begun to respond to the recent rains as stock feed has been distributed to 27 districts to support 107 387 cattle and communities have mobilised resources to complement Government efforts.
Dr 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 for summer crops this season.
Maize will take up 1 800 000 hectares while sorghum will be planted on 418 000 hectares. 275 000 hectares will be put under pearl millet with finger millet taking up 27 000 hectares. Soya beans will be planted on 77 000 hectares.
Groundnuts and sugar beans will be planted on 385 000 hectares and 55 000 hectares respectively.
Roundnuts will take up 110 000 hectares while 93 5000 hectares will be reserved for African peas.
A total of 635 584 hectares is targeted for the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Climate-Proofed Presidential Inputs Supply Scheme, and the rest is taken up by CBZ, AFC, NMB and other banks, the private sector and individual farmers.
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