Govt sets maize target
THE Government has set maize and wheat targets for the coming cropping season at 2,5 million tonnes and 400 000 tonnes respectively, the same figures that were targeted in the last farming season.
However, the country failed to meet these targets last year after erratic rains that resulted in a drought that affected most parts of the country.
Officially opening the Grain Marketing Board’s (GMB) Strategic Planning Workshop in Harare last week, Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Minister Perrance Shiri, who was represented by his deputy, Douglas Karoro, said to achieve these production targets, the Government has opened the doors to private sector participation in agriculture.
“Under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), maize production is targeted to increase to 2,5 million tonnes while wheat production is targeted to reach 400 000 tonnes by 2020. The GMB must therefore be prepared to support the increased production to minimise post-harvest losses, particularly among smallholder farmers.
“This target may have been dented by
El Nino-induced drought experienced during the previous cropping season, the Government has maintained the maize and wheat production targets and continues to work towards achieving them.
“To achieve these production figures, the Government is now promoting participation by private sector in financing agriculture. Furthermore, the Government is spearheading investment in irrigation infrastructure and mechanisation of agricultural production to achieve increased productivity. These initiatives will require a GMB that is ready to meet the challenge,” Minister Shiri said.
He said agriculture is expected to rebound and achieve a growth rate of 10,3 percent thus significantly contributing to the overall Gross Domestic Product growth rate of 4,6 percent for next year.
Minister Shiri applauded the GMB staff for continuing to play a special role in ensuring household food security through participation in Government Inputs distribution to vulnerable members of society under the social safety net programmes.
“I commend you for discharging your role as the State granary during this year. I urge you to continue with the resolve of contributing to national food security. Furthermore, I congratulate the GMB for the safe keeping of the Strategic Grain Reserve. No reports were received on grain deteriorating beyond human consumption.
“I urge you to keep the momentum on maintenance of grain storage infrastructure and ensure that the country does not lose any grain delivered to the GMB owing to the poor state of grain storage infrastructure,” he said.
Minister Shiri also commended GMB for being up to date with audited financial statements as this was key in good corporate governance.
Farmers across the country have started planting following the rains that were received in recent weeks.
Distribution of inputs under the Presidential Inputs Scheme is also underway with more than 640 000 hectares targeted for maize.