Online Reporter
We publish here the post Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, in Harare yesterday.
Cabinet noted the update on the 2024-2025 summer crops marketing and 2025 winter wheat production programme.
As the transformational programme of the Second Republic continue to bear fruit, the nation is projected to record a grain surplus of approximately 812 000 tonnes. This projection is based on an anticipated cereal reserve of 3.01 million tonnes, comprising an expected harvest of 2 928 206 tonnes and an existing reserve of 83 526 tonnes, against an annual grain requirement of 2,2 million tonnes. Notably, the surplus will be even greater if projections are based on the SADC regional average cereal consumption rate of 8,5kg per person per month or on the national actual average consumption rate of 7,7kg per person per month.
In order to ensure optimal support to the agricultural sector, resources will continue to be availed to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to facilitate timeous payments for grain deliveries by farming communities.
Grain marketing will also continue to be conducted through multiple channels, including the GMB, the Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange (ZMX), and direct sales to various agro-processors. In addition, the warehouse receipt system is active, with a 2025 intake of 4 000 tonnes of cereals, oilseeds and pulses realised to date.
The 2025 cotton marketing season commenced on June 9, with about 311 000kg marketed to seven contractors to date. In tobacco marketing, a significant milestone has been achieved, with total sales surpassing the 300 million-kilogramme target set under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan to reach 309 120 966 kg. This represents a 45,65 percent increase in volume, compared to the 209 million kg sold in 2024, and sales are still ongoing. Although the average price has slightly decreased from US$3,45 /kg to US$3,36/kg, the total value of sales has surged to over US$1,04 billion, up from the US$721 million attained in 2024.
Regarding wheat production, over 122 142 hectares have been planted to date, exceeding the initial target of 120 000 hectares. The Government continues to monitor key enablers to guarantee the achievement of an anticipated production of 600 000 tonnes of wheat from the 2025 season. Currently, barley planting stands at 6 115 hectares, achieving 94,1 percent of the 6 500-hectare target. Meanwhile, 4 512 hectares of potatoes have been planted, against a target of 8 750 hectares.
ZIMBABWE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE READINESS ASSESSMENT REPORT
Cabinet considered and noted the Zimbabwe Artificial Intelligence (AI) readiness assessment report.
Zimbabwe is one of the six countries in Africa selected and sponsored by UNESCO to take part in piloting the recommendation in deploying AI, and addressing the ethical risks in deploying Artificial Intelligence leveraging on the innovative Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) tool.
Zimbabwe adopted the UNESCO recommendation on ethics of AI in November 2021. The recommendation provides an internationally agreed set of principles and comprehensive guidance to policymakers on ensuring that this game-changing technology benefits society and protects citizens against the associated risks. A diagnosis of the national Artificial Intelligence landscape has been provided, marking a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s journey towards harnessing AI’s transformative potential for enhancing socio-economic development.
The thematic areas that were used to assess the Artificial Intelligence readiness of countries utilising the UNESCO RAM tool included the legal, social/cultural, scientific/educational, economic, technical and infrastructural dimensions. The ethical integration of AI technologies in Government, business and citizens operations and transactions in this fourth industrial revolution is critical to the success of the economy.
REPORT ON DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Cabinet considered the report on the drug and substance abuse for the period March 12 to June 2 2025.
Regarding the update on the supply reduction pillar, the Criminal Investigations Department received five drones from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for surveillance purposes at border posts. Forty-one drug kingpins were named and shamed during the period, and individuals were sentenced to custodial terms ranging from 12 months to 15 years in prison.
A cumulative 206 raids were conducted nationwide, leading to the dismantling of 39 illicit drug bases and arrests of 1 445 suspects. The Liquor Licencing Board inspected 461 premises, 429 of which were licenced. The 32 premises that were found to be unlicenced were each fined US$40.
The Government is fully aware that empowerment programmes play a pivotal role in transforming young citizens to be productive and avoid the trap of drug and substance abuse.
In this regard, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training reached out to 212 426 youths through awareness campaigns and empowerment programmes that included youth development leadership, financial literacy and entrepreneurship. A totall of 17 349 youths were empowered through programmes such as fish farming, the Mbire goat project, the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme and financial literacy training through Empower Bank and Tonganyika Trust.
President Mnangagwa handed over tipper trucks purchased under the US$2 million Presidential Youth Fund to young entrepreneurs aimed at expanding businesses in sectors such as construction, mining and transport.
In another milestone development 1 907 youths graduated under the Youth Service in Zimbabwe, while 1 844 inclusive of 70 survivors of drugs and substance use are undergoing training. The line ministries carried out campaigns against drug and substance abuse as follows with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education reaching out to 1 082 875 pupils; the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development engaging 24 364 young persons; through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. While 305 youths benefited from green jobs.
In addition, 662 heifers, 31 000 chicks and 890 000 fingerlings were distributed under one of the ongoing Presidential Empowerment Scheme targeting the youths.
RATIFICATION OF THE SADC PROTOCOL ON EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR
Cabinet considered and approved for ratification the SADC Protocol on Employment and Labour.
The protocol was signed on August 17 2024 at the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government and aims at promoting decent work, establishing fair labour standards, coordinating labour laws across the region, driving job creation, enhancing migrant worker rights and social security, combating child labour, and working towards regional integration through harmonised labour policies.
It emphasizes on the recognition of basic human rights particularly those that link with labour laws and the domestication of international labour obligations.
RATIFICATION OF CONVENTION 187: PROMOTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Cabinet considered and approved for ratification Convention 187: Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health.
The convention provides for occupational health, safety and mitigating the effects of occupational injuries on productivity as well as on socio-economic development.
The major objectives of the convention are to promote continuous improvement of occupational safety and health to prevent injuries, diseases and death by developing a national policy, national system and national programmes; to achieve progressively a safe and healthy working environment; and to periodically consider measures to be taken to ratify relevant Occupational Safety and Health Conventions of the International Labour Organisation.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS MATTERS
Cabinet noted the Report on the Third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC3) which was held in Nice, France from June 9 to 13, 2025.
UNOC3 took place under the theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilising all Actors to Conserve and Sustainably use the Ocean”. The Conference centred on key issues, including ocean governance, conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, inclusion, and financing for development.
