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Cabinet considered the 2023 Summer Plan additional measures to climate-proof production to increase productivity as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr AJ Masuka.
The nation will recall that Cabinet approved the 2023/24 Summer Cropping Plan and State of Preparedness on 18 May 2023.
The Plan seeks to achieve national food, feed, and edible oils self-sufficiency. The national target hectrage for strategic crops is 3 040 000 ha with an expected yield of 3 782 658 tonnes .
The nation is informed that Zimbabwe has adequate grains in stock for the next two seasons.
However, the sensitivity analysis for the 2023/2024 season based on previous years analysis indicates reduced crop production.
Accordingly Cabinet has put in place robust measures encompassing irrigation and agricultural climate-proofing in order to maintain increased production.
In line with Government priorities in the agricultural sector, the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme will be expanded, with more banks contracting increased hectarages.
Cabinet wishes to advise that the following additional measures have also been put in place to enhance production;
- Enhanced climate-proofing through expanded moisture enhancer demonstrations;
- Alignment of crops grown with agro-ecological regions;
- Grain swaps whereby the GMB will continue to promote traditional grains production in regions 4 and 5; and
- Providing weather-indexed and Area/Yield insurance for smallholder farmers under the Pfumvudza Programme.
The additional measures also include Vision 2030 Agricultural Livelihoods Tracker (VALT) that will track the upliftment of households and livelihoods through agricultural and rural development programmes.
Through financial support from the African Development Bank in the 2023/2024 season, Government will increase the percentage of traditional grains seed availability by ensuring that ARDA and GMB package standard traditional grains as seed for the 2023/2024 season.
Furthermore, in order to incentivise production of traditional grains, Government will do the following:
- Announce planning prices and marketing modalities in August annually; and
- Empower farmers from 460 irrigation schemes by availing Presidential Inputs in time.
In terms of rural development, the strategy is to accelerate borehole drilling and the establishment of village business units and veld management.
These measures support the current positive production trends.
REPORT ON THE USA-AFRICA BUSINESS SUMMIT
The Second Republic’s Engagement and Re-Engagement drive continues to record remarkable milestones, as presented by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Honourable Professor Amon Murwira, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in his Report on the US-Africa Business Summit, held in Gaborone, Botswana, from 11t to 14 July, 2023.
Cabinet wishes to highlight that His Excellency the President, Cde ED Mnangagwa attended the Business Summit, which was held under the theme “Enhancing Africa’s Value in Global Value Chains”. During the Summit, the President outlined Zimbabwe’s agricultural model and experience in climate-proofing agriculture which was well received.
Furthermore, the country, through the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), was able to successfully conduct an Invest in Zimbabwe Breakfast Meeting on the sidelines of the Summit, as part of the investment attraction agenda.
In particular, the Business Summit explored new and evolving opportunities to strengthen US-Africa trade and investment relationships.
The summit provided business opportunities for Zimbabwe. More importantly, the Summit focused on enhancing mutually beneficial collaboration between the USA and African countries in areas of mutual interest, including agribusiness, digital connectivity, health, sustainable energy, finance and infrastructure.
PARTNERSHIP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ONLINE BORDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (OBMS)
Cabinet considered and approved the Engagement of Garsu Pasaulis AUB on the Implementation of an Online Border Management System Incorporating Visa and Residence Permits, as proposed by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe.
Cabinet highlights that Garsu Pasaulis has implemented the country’s system for the production of electronic passports based on biometric technology, including the roll-out of related services to all provinces.
The remarkable transformation witnessed in the issuance of passports which has seen the backlog and queues wiped out in no time, gives testimony to Government’s due diligence and proficiency in engaging partners to implement projects.
Accordingly, Cabinet agreed to extend the Garsu Pasauilis contract to cover the implementation of national biometric infrastructure capable of producing entry visas and residence permits.
The issuance of the visas and permits will be supported by an integrated information communication technology system capable of sustainably handling demand for the services.
HOSTING OF THE SECOND INSTALLMENT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT
Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development in conjunction with the National Economic Consultative Forum will be hosting the 2nd Infrastructure Summit from 20 to 21 July, 2023, at the Elephant Hills Resort, in Victoria Falls.
The Summit will be held under the theme “Accelerating Transport Infrastructure Projects Development in Zimbabwe: Towards World-Class Transport Networks by 2030”. Special attention will be given to the three modes of transport infrastructure in Zimbabwe, namely: road, rail and air.
Online Reporter