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Harare – The Presidential Inputs Support Scheme will contribute significantly to agriculture surpassing production targets set in the economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development (Zim Asset), a cabinet Minister said on Thursday.
Delivering a lecture to the Joint Command Staff Course number 27 at the Zimbabwe Staff College, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made said timeous supply of inputs to 1,6 million households under the Presidential Input Support Scheme would result in projections being surpassed.
Made said the country would record surplus in all cereals including maize, sorghum, millet, sugar beans and groundnuts.
“Agriculture’s contribution to economic development is set to surpass targets enshrined in the People’s manifesto of 2013 and Zim Asset.
“In the cereals area, that includes all cereals, we are looking at not less than two million tonnes of maize, sorghum, millet, sugar beans and groundnuts.
“To the Zimbabweans, the current season output is reminiscent of the 1982/84 benchmark,” he said.
He said even agriculture export earnings would also hit the roof.
“It is expected that export earnings according to Zim Asset will be $889 million but I think that will be surpassed,” he said.
Made said the increase in production would be witnessed at household level, a development that was expected to ease shortages of food and raw materials.
A total of 1,6 million households benefited from the Presidential Agriculture Inputs scheme.
The sector is expected to create an additional 32,000 jobs and generate close to $1 billion in export earnings. – New Ziana.
Online Reporter