dyton mupawaenda
Latwell Nyangu
GOVERNMENT says the prediction by the Meteorological Services of normal to above normal rainfall remains in place.
Speaking during the post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said:
“Regarding the current dry spell, agronomic advisory from AGRITEX should guide farmers at the local level.
“A prediction by the Meteorological Services of normal to above normal rainfall is still in place.”
He also gave an update on the food security outlook.
“The existing total stock in the Strategic Grain Reserve, comprising wheat, maize and traditional grains amounts to 245 052 tonnes (t).
“The projected consumption through the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme, Zunde RaMambo and the School Feeding Programme for the period December 2024 to March 2025 is 241 089.
“The Private Sector will continue to import for commercial purposes, stock feed and assist in the combating of drought.
“A record 563 961 t of wheat has been harvested to date, surpassing the 465 548t achieved in 2023. Trucks from the Grain Marketing Board continue to distribute stock feed.”
He added:
“Meanwhile, the establishment of Ward Drought Mitigation Centres has recorded 43 percent of the targeted 1 035 wards.
“The 2024/2025 Summer Season Plan aims to increase production of cereals to 3 274 200t, against the 744 271t obtained during the 2023/2024 summer season.
“The overall production volumes of major crops are expected to increase by 347 percent from a mere 915 000t to over 4 milliont.
“The production target for cereals is 3,3 million t, while that for pulses is 819 500t. To date, over 746 238 hectares of maize have been planted under various support programmes, being 41.5 percent of the target.
“Under the Presidential Input Schemes, 117 percent of the targeted 9 million plots have been prepared by 116 percent of the targeted 3 million rural households.”
Online Reporter