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Cabinet received and noted progress made in the preparations for hosting the 44th SADC summit in August, as presented by the Vice President, Honourable Gen (Rtd) Dr CGDN Chiwenga.
The Government is rehabilitating three main access roads leading to the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, including the internal circulation roads. These access roads include Harare-Chirundu Road, Harare-Kanyemba Road and Old Mazowe Road.
Rehabilitation of Harare-Chirundu Road is ongoing and the scope of works includes construction, landscaping and street lighting of the section of Julius Nyerere Street from the Main Post Office to the intersection of Sam Nujoma Extension and Nemakonde Way (formerly Lomagundi), and along Nemakonde Road to Westgate traffic circle (roundabout).
Rehabilitation of Harare-Kanyemba Road is also ongoing and the scope of works includes dualisation, widening, upgrading, reconstruction, rehabilitation, street lighting and landscaping of the section of Sam Nujoma Extension from Nemakonde Way to and including the traffic circle (roundabout) at the intersection with the New Parliament Boulevard, past Henderson Research Institute area to Mvurwi turn-off.
Rehabilitation of Old Mazowe Road is underway and the scope of works includes construction and landscaping of Old Mazowe Road from Westgate traffic circle (Roundabout) to Mt Hampden; the Loop Road and New Parliament Building access roads; and the New Parliament Boulevard to the intersection with the Bindura Road.
The Government is also rehabilitating Greater Harare roads and the scope of works includes rehabilitation, street lighting and landscaping of 37 roads in the Greater Harare area that link the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to the city, and also to Mt Hampden and New Parliament Building in particular. The overall progress of works is 90 percent and the target completion date is July 30.
Construction of the Museum of African Liberation is underway.
Lastly, rehabilitation works at the State Pavilion at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport are expected to be completed by the July 30.
CROPS, HORTICULTURE, FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK SUMMER PLAN: 2024 – 2025
Cabinet received and noted the 2024/2025 crops, horticulture, fisheries and livestock summer plan, as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr AJ Masuka.
The 2024/2025 summer plan is the implementation mechanism for the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy (AFSRTS). The plan comes on the back drop of an El Nino-ravaged 2023/2024 summer season and prediction of better rainfall, given the increasing probability for a La Nina phenomenon in the 2024/2025 summer season.
The 2024/2025 summer season production plan focuses on food and feed crops, oilseeds and industrial crops, for both local consumption and export.
The target is to increase production of cereals from about 750 000 tonnes produced during the 2023/2024 summer season to over 3,2 million tonnes. The area under cereals is also expected to increase from about2,3 million hectares during the 2023/2024 summer season to 2,5 million hectares.
Maize production is expected to increase from about 635 000 tonnes in 2023/2024 summer season to 2,7 million tonnes. The average maize yield is also expected to increase from 0,8 tonnes per hectare in 2023/2024 summer season to 1,5 tonnes per hectare. Notably, the yield for traditional grains is expected to increase from an average of 180 kilogrammes per hectare during the 2023/2024 summer season to 800 kilogrammes per hectare.
The 2024/2025 summer plan also targets to produce 97 700 mega litres of oil, from cotton, sunflower and soyabean, with the climate-proofed Presidential input support scheme (Pfumvudza/Intwasa) targeting to support 1,8 million households from communal, A1, small-scale commercial farming, old resettlement and peri-rural households for the production of cereals, oilseeds and legumes. The total number of beneficiaries for the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme will be 3,5 million.
The distribution of inputs under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme will strictly target households that would have prepared a minimum of three plots each measuring 39 metres x 16 metres (0.0624 hectares); liming and organic matter placement; and mulch collection for at least one plot.
Regarding developing the fisheries value-chain, the Government is establishing five fingerling production centres across the country to produce 60 percent of the fingerling requirement for the Presidential Community Fisheries Programme.
In respect of livestock value-chain development, the target for the summer plan is to increase the beef cattle herd from 5 718 523 in 2023/2024 to 5 798 582. Goat numbers would increase from 5 087 155 in 2023/2024 to 5 239 769. Milk production is also expected to increase from 99 821 752 litres in 2023/2024 to 115 000 000 litres.
In terms of the marketing of crops, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) will purchase all summer crops financed under the Presidential Input Programme and ARDA scheme as well as those by self-financed farmers, and would be the buyer of last resort. Contractors may arrange to sell their crops to the GMB.
All contractors are obliged to buy back their contracted crops at market prices. Self-financed farmers will sell to best advantage on the market or to the GMB.
THE ZIMBABWE LIVELIHOODS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE (ZIMLAC) 2024 RURAL LIVELIHOODS ASSESSMENT REPORT
Cabinet received the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) 2024 Rural Livelihoods Assessment Report as presented by Dr Masuka, on behalf of the chairman of the Cabinet committee on food security and nutrition, Vice-President Chiwenga.
ZimLAC undertook a Rural Livelihoods Assessment from 3 May to 7 June 2024. The objectives of the Assessment were to estimate the rural population that is likely to be food insecure in the 2024/2025 consumption year, their geographic distribution and the severity of their food insecurity.
The assessment also aimed at determining the nutrition status of the rural population and to identify development priorities for communities.
The findings and recommendations of the report are based on a comprehensive review and analysis of the relevant primary and secondary data collected from 18 001 households and the country’s 60 districts. A total of 60 chiefs and their headmen and other traditional leaders were consulted.
The 2024 Rural Livelihoods Assessment established that the total cereal requirements from the National Strategic Grain Reserve for the period July 2024 to March 2025 would be 448 350 tonnes, broken down as follows; 45 750 tonnes per month for July to September 2024; and 51 850 tonnes per month for October 2024 to March 2025.
The food insecure people will receive 7,5kg/person/month for the period July to September 2024, and 8,5kg/person/month from October 2024 to March 2025.
The report noted that 121 482,6 tonnes will be required for the school feeding programme from July 2024 to April 2025. The Government will avail the requisite quantities for the school feeding programme and will prioritise payment of BEAM.
ZimLAC commended Government for remaining committed to ensuring that every Zimbabwean is free from hunger and all forms of malnutrition through food deficit mitigation and food security resilience building measures as well as strengthening of multi-sectoral structures.
2024 HALF-YEAR PROGRESS REPORT ON THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS, COMMUNITY, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS
Cabinet received and noted a progress report on the implementation of Government programmes and projects under the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development for the first half of 2024, as presented by Minister Monica Mutsvangwa.
To close the support gap experienced by women, communities, as well as by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development is implementing an array of initiatives.
To close an existing funding gap, the ministry extends loans through the Women’s Development Fund (WDF), Zimbabwe Community Development Fund (ZCDF), the Zimbabwe Women Microfinance Bank (ZWMB), and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO).
A total of US$7 027 200 has been disbursed to 65 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through SMEDCO and to 3 440 beneficiaries through the Zimbabwe Women Micro-Finance Bank since January 2024. The Zimbabwe Community Development Fund (ZCDF) and the Women’s Development Fund (WDF) targets to fund 200 projects by the end of year.
Other initiatives being rolled out by Government include capacity building of women, micro, small and medium enterprises and cooperatives to enable them to take advantage of the emerging livelihood and business opportunities presented by the Second Republic.
Furthermore, Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development continues to facilitate the formation and growth of innovative impactful structures for women in key sectors including housing, finance, agriculture, manufacturing, health, arts and craft, and fisheries among others.
In addition, the ministry is also coordinating access to social services such as health provision, provision of sanitary wear for women and girls, access to education, and provision of agricultural inputs by women in communities to ensure “no one and no place is left behind”.
Going forward, the Government will accelerate implementation of gender equality provisions as provided for in the Constitution to increase the participation of women in key-decision making positions across all sectors.
Special facilities, existing and new, meant to support women-owned enterprises, community projects and MSMEs to access affordable long-term funding for re-tooling will be supported and strengthened.
In addition, Government will increase budgetary support towards establishment of value addition processing plants to curb post- harvest loses.
UPDATE ON PREPARATIONS FOR THE HOSTING OF THE UNITED NATIONS TOURISM FORUM ON GASTRONOMY TOURISM FOR AFRICA
Cabinet received an update on preparations for the hosting of the United Nations Tourism Forum on gastronomy tourism for Africa as presented by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi.
The first United Nations Regional Forum on gastronomy tourism will be held in Zimbabwe from July 26 to 28, 2024 at the Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls.
The main objectives of the Tourism Forum are to promote cultural heritage, celebrate the diverse culinary traditions, and elevate the role of gastronomy in African tourism. His Excellency the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa will officially open the event and deliver the keynote address. Participants will be drawn from the SADC region and beyond.
The President and the First lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, will be honoured by UN Tourism for their outstanding achievements in driving the gastronomy tourism initiative in Zimbabwe, and Africa at large.
REPORT ON THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AFFORESTATION AND REFORESTATION: BRAZAVILLE, CONGO
Cabinet received a report on the first international conference on afforestation and reforestation held in Brazaville, Congo, as presented by Honourable Vice President KCD Mohadi.
Vice President Mohadi led a delegation to the first international conference on afforestation and reforestation held in Brazaville, Republic of Congo from July 2 to 5, 2024.
The conference was attended by heads of State and Government; African Union (AU) representatives; ministers; regional and international organisations; United Nations agencies; experts and scientists; local communities; and the private sector.
The objective of the conference was to come up with a strategy to mobilise adequate financial, technical and human resources to support afforestation and reforestation initiatives, particularly in developing countries and regions most affected by deforestation and degradation.
It adopted a strategy to enhance international cooperation in support of afforestation and reforestation activities in Africa.
The conference outcomes would be submitted at the 79th United Nations General Assembly, and have the potential to significantly accelerate global progress towards a healthier and more sustainable future of forests.
REPORT ON THE TRIPARTITE SUMMIT OF THE TECHOBANINE PORT PROJECT AND LIMPOPO RAILWAY LINE
Cabinet received a report on the tripartite summit of the Techobanine Port Project and Limpopo Railway Line which was presented by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Honourable Prof. Amon Murwira, as the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
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His Excellency the President Dr E.D. Mnangagwa attended the historic Tripartite Summit on the development of the Deep-Sea Port and Heavy Haul Traffic Railway Line at the Malibangalala Bay Resort in Mozambique on 12 July 2024, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Mozambique, His Excellency, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi. The President of the Republic of Botswana, His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi also attended the Summit.
The Porta Techobanine project will enhance the integration and interconnectivity of transport systems in the three countries and the region at large, as well as facilitate trade and the free movement of people and goods. The three Heads of State agreed to collaborate on the utilisation of the existing transport infrastructure in the three countries, and to undertake a comprehensive assessment of railway lines to intensify areas for collaborative intervention. The leaders signed the declaration on the Development of the Ponta Techobanine Project, and reaffirmed the commitment of their respective countries to implement the project, as well as work on modalities to improve the existing railway line in order to improve efficiency.
In his address, His Excellency the President Dr E.D. Mnangagwa emphasised the importance of the project in furthering the National Development Strategy 1, Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The President further underscored that the project will facilitate investments in the three countries’ mining, transport and related industries.
His Excellency the President took the opportunity to apprise his counterparts on Zimbabwe’s ongoing preparations for the upcoming 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held in Zimbabwe August 2024.
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