Online Reporter
We publish here the 25th post-Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, in Harare yesterday.
The 2024-2025 summer crops marketing and 2025 winter plan were considered and approved by Cabinet.
Zimbabwe’s updated food balance sheet, effective until March 2026, shows that there is enough grain at the national level, though some local shortages are possible.
In response to these localised shortages, the Government has already given 30 tonnes of grain to the San Community in Tsholotsho.
A total of 272 870 tonnes of maize, soyabeans, sorghum, wheat and sunflower have been formally sold, with a significant amount marketed informally.
The Grain Marketing Board’s grain and oilseed intake has risen from 12,8 percent to 21,6 percent.
The Strategic Grain Reserve currently has 133 115 tonnes of grain in stock.
The Grain Marketing Board has opened 1 804 mobile grain collection centres in all wards to make it easier for farmers to deliver their grain.
Farmers who received support from the Presidential Input Scheme are delivering 10kg per household to create a local Strategic Grain Reserve as a way of showing gratitude for last year’s food aid.
Since the cotton marketing season began on July 24, 2025, 279 million kg have been sold to six contractors.
As of August 18, 2025, tobacco sales reached a record 354,4 million kg, a 53,07 percent increase compared to the 231 million kg sold at the same time in 2024.
Tobacco seed sales are up 12 percent compared to 2024, which is a good sign for the 2025/2026 season’s target of 360 million kg.
The Winter Cereals Plan targets 135 500 hectares, including 120 000 hectares for wheat, 6 500 hectares for barley, and 9 000 hectares for potatoes. The estimated wheat production is 600 000 tonnes.
Quelea bird surveillance is currently active in all provinces of the country.
There is sufficient staff, vehicles, sprayers and chemicals available to respond to any outbreak, and localised district teams have already been activated.
UPDATE ON THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2025 ZIMBABWE AGRICULTURAL SHOW
Cabinet was briefed on the 115th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, which began yesterday and will run until Saturday.
The theme of the show is “Building bridges, connecting Agriculture, Industry and Commerce”.
The show is divided into five sections: Agri-produce, Tobacco, Cotton, Livestock, and Commercial exhibition.
Foreign exhibitors from South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau and China are participating this year.
Key business events include the Golf Tournament, Annual ZAS Schools Quiz, Annual National Agribusiness Conference, Exhibitors cocktail, Zimbabwe Agricultural Media Awards, Environmental, Social and Governance Conference, and the Research for Agricultural Excellence and Technology Indaba.
The show will be officially opened by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday.
CROPS, HORTICULTURE, FISHERIES AND LIVESTOCK SUMMER PLAN 2025/2026
Cabinet considered and approved the crops, horticulture, fisheries and livestock summer plan for the 2025/2026 season.
For the 2025/2026 season, the focus will be on increasing agro-ecological crop tailoring and improving climate-proofing at the household level through Pfumvudza/Intwasa and at the national level by expanding irrigated land.
The Input Support Scheme will target crops such as maize, sorghum, pearl millet, soya beans, sunflower, African peas, ground nuts and sugar beans.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) has been designated as the “food, feed, seed and oils security agent for the nation”.
ARDA’s targets are to produce 500 000 tonnes of summer cereals from 100 000 hectares and 300 000 tonnes of winter cereals from 60 000 hectares. The ARDA scheme will supply farmers with seed, fertilizer, and chemicals.
A total of 75 688 megalitres of oilseed production is planned for the 2025/2026 summer season, against the country’s annual oil requirement of 180 000 megalitres. Emphasis will continue to be on sunflower oilseed production.
The National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme (NEAPS) will be funded by AFC, CBZ and NMB banks with Government performance guarantees. NEAPS will target maize, soyabean, traditional grains and sunflower on 45 000 hectares, with a targeted output of 247 000 tonnes.
The Food Crop Contractors Association, a private sector group, aims to contract 27 000 hectares of maize, 17 000 hectares of soyabean, and 10 000 hectares of sorghum, with an anticipated output of 224 500 tonnes.
Cotton production will be carried out through the Government-enabled COTCCO scheme and private-sector funding.
Beneficiaries of the COTCCO Scheme will be required to deliver some cotton for the support they receive.
Crops such as Sesame will be promoted to complement cotton production and improve household income.
A total of 3 945 boreholes have been drilled to support Village Business Units, School Business Units, Youths Business Units, and Vocational Training Centre Business Units.
Irrigation development will continue to be accelerated to build resilience for sustained crop production to meet national requirements, including the Strategic Grain Reserve.
Before the start of the 2025/2026 summer season, 15 000 hectares will be developed, bringing the total area available for irrigation to 232 000 hectares. Of this, 100 000 hectares will be available for summer irrigation.
Over 15 576 tractors, 3 100 planters, 334 combine harvesters, 90 commercial dryers, and 3 450 units are currently available for land preparation and tillage services.
For the 2025/2026 season, planning, pre-planting, and marketing prices will be announced to provide policy direction on food security.
The Grain Marketing Board will buy all summer crops that were financed by the Presidential Input Programme, the ARDA Scheme, and self-financed farmers, and it will be the buyer of last resort.
All contractors are obligated to buy back contracted grain at market prices. Farmers are advised to insure their crops and consider insurance as an input in production.
The 2025/2026 summer fisheries programme aims to stock 3 million fingerlings in 2 000 fish ponds through the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme.
The Government is investing in five strategic fingerling centres: Henderson, Makoholi, Matopos, Bubi-Lupane, and Chipinge Coffee Research Institute.
REVIEW OF LEVIES, LICENCES FEES AND PERMITS LEVIED ON BUSINESS BY MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES (MDAS): THE TOURISM SECTOR
In line with a Cabinet decision from July 29, 2025, Cabinet has approved a review of licences, permits, levies, and fees in the tourism sector.
A consultative approach was used to review the accommodation, hospitality, catering, tour guide and operator, boating services, and vehicle rental services value chains, which were previously operating in a “choking regulatory environment”.
The review’s purpose was to eliminate unjustifiable licences and permits, streamline duplicative and overlapping ones, and lower unsustainably high fees and levies.
The revised licenses, permits, levies, and fees will undergo further refinement.
This review process aligns with ongoing ease-of-doing-business reforms aimed at reducing business costs, increasing competitiveness, and promoting economic growth in Zimbabwe.
REPORTS ON PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR THE SECOND 100-DAY CYCLE OF 2025
In terms of the Image Building, International Relations and Trade Thematic Area of the National Development Strategy 1:
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Prof Amon Murwira, highlighted the following achievements:
Construction of the Zim-Abuja chancery, official residence, and staff apartments is 65 percent complete.
Renovation of the Zim-Pretoria staff house is 60 percent complete.
Renovation of the Zim-Cape Town chancery is 50 percent complete.
Construction of the Zim-London official residence is ongoing.
Electrical installations at the Zim-Beira chancery are ongoing.
Under the Food Security and Nutrition pillar of the National Development Strategy 1:
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka reported the following achievements:
122 144 hectares were put under winter wheat production, exceeding the 120 000-hectare target.
Construction of Kunzvi Dam in Mashonaland East Province is 60 percent complete.
Construction of Lake Gwayi-Shangani is ongoing.
A total of 83 Village Business Units have been established across provinces.
156 boreholes were drilled under the Presidential Rural Development Programme, surpassing the target of 100.
Irrigation development projects were targeted at Farai and Vimbanayi Irrigation Schemes in Chipinge District, Mhakwe Irrigation Scheme in Chimanimani District, and Wanezi in Insiza District.
At Farai Irrigation Scheme, 57 percent of the 30-hectare area is complete, while 70 percent of the 35 hectares at Vimbanayi is complete.
Development of 21 hectares at Mhakwe is 93 percent complete, and 90 percent of the 37 hectares at Wanezi has been completed.
158 dip tanks were rehabilitated out of a targeted 160, bringing the total number of rehabilitated dip tanks to 2 500.
834 398 cattle have been branded out of a target of 2 million.
In terms of the Economic Growth and Stability pillar of the National Development Strategy 1:
Mines and Mining Development Minister Soda Zhemu highlighted the following achievements:
The online export permit system is 90 percent complete, and some mines have been chosen for trial runs.
The wire making line at Dinson Iron and Steel Company in Manhize is 75 percent complete, and the mill balls are 60 percent complete. Steel products being made include pig iron, rebar, hot-rolled wire rods, and hot-rolled round bars.
The Platinum Group Metals Concentrate Smelter Expansion Project and the 35 MW Phase 1 Solar Plant at ZIMPLATS are complete.
The US$34 million cesium flotation plant at Sinomine Bikita is being commissioned.
The Mutagech coking plant in Hwange is now operational, with a washing plant capacity of 200 000 tonnes per month.
The construction of a coking plant at Zambezi Gas and Coal Mine in Hwange is 95 percent complete.
The coke oven battery at Zimbabwe Zhong-Xin in Hwange is 90 percent complete
The underground mine at Hwange Colliery Company is fully operational, and the refurbishment of the coke oven batteries is 95 percent complete.
The consolidated petroleum production sharing agreement and petroleum exploration and production agreement for the Muzarabani oil and gas project are in place, and the project has been granted National Project Status.
Construction of a Platinum Group Metals concentrator at Karo Platinum is 41 percent complete.
Construction of coking, power, and ferrochrome plants at Palm River Mine in Beitbridge is complete.
REPORT ON PRESIDENT MNANGAGWA’S JOINT SADC/EAC VIRTUAL SUMMIT MEETING ON DRC AUGUST 13 2025
Cabinet was briefed on the joint Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) virtual summit of Heads of State and Government that took place on August 13, 2025.
The summit’s goal was to update the Heads of State and Government on the appointment of five facilitators, the results of a briefing session held by the co-chairpersons with the panel of facilitators, and to endorse the enabling documents outlining the facilitators’ mandate and the African Union mediator’s terms of reference.
The summit was informed that Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, the former president of Botswana, had been appointed as a member of the panel of facilitators.
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