Measures in place to curb Covid-19 surge
CABINET considered Zimbabwe’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the report on the procurement and rollout of vaccines, which was presented by the Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable CGDN Chiwenga as Chairpersons of the Ministers National Committee.
Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that as at 3rd of May, 2022, Zimbabwe’s cumulative Covid-19 positive cases had reached 247 990, with 241 861 recoveries and 5 479 deaths. The recovery rate was 98 percent, with 740 active cases having been recorded.
The overall number of new cases increased during the week, with 437 cases recorded, compared to 276 the previous week and reflecting a 58 percent increase. An average of 63 new cases were reported per day, compared to 40 the previous week. The country’s Covid-19 hospital bed occupancy rate increased slightly from 1.0 percent last week to 1,6 percent, with no Intensive Care Unit admissions countrywide.
On the national Covid-19 vaccination programme, Cabinet is informing the nation that remarkable progress has been witnessed since the launch of the campaign a month ago, with over two million vaccine doses already administered. The cumulative numbers of vaccinations since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 have now reached 5 869 893 and 3 683 973 for the first and second doses, respectively, and 604 860 for the third dose.
Preparations for phase two of the national vaccination campaign blitz continued during the week. Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution are strengthening communication on the need for all eligible people, including religious leaders and their followers to get vaccinated.
In conclusion, Cabinet advises that in light of the 58 percent increase in the number of new cases the country recorded during the current week, coupled with a massive increase in the number of cases recorded by our neighbour South Africa the last seven days, there is need to protect the country against the negative impact of a surge in cases. Accordingly, the country needs to exercise the following cautionary measures:
◆ To avoid further relaxation of Covid19 restrictions for now and remain vigilant;
◆ That all provinces prioritize Phase two of the vaccination campaign blitz scheduled to kick off on 3rd May 2022;
◆ That risk communication and community engagement be strengthened with a focus on adherence to all prevention measures; and
◆ That there be strict enforcement of all Covid-19 regulations throughout the country including at the ports of entry.
2022 WINTER WHEAT PRE-PLANTING PRODUCER PRICE
Cabinet received the 2022 Winter Wheat Pre-Planting Producer Priceas presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Hon. Dr. A. J Masuka.
Cabinet advises that the geopolitical developments in Eastern Europe coupled with Covid-19 pandemic are weighing heavily on the logistical and financial aspects of commodity supply chains and this is affecting fuel, fertilizers and wheat supply systems, including the price determination mechanisms. Cabinet notes that the pre-planting producer price should be pegged at a level that will motivate farmers to plant additional hectarages of wheat. The nation is informed that Cabinet approved as follows: ◆ That the winter wheat pre- planting price for ordinary grade of wheat be set at $155 000 per tonne;
◆ That the winter wheat pre- planting
price for premium grade of wheat be
set at $170 500 per tonne; and
◆ That all wheat commodity off-takers should participate in the funding of at least 40 percent of their wheat annual requirements and their access to foreign currency in the auction system should be linked to their relative production levels prorated to the 40 percent target
REPORT ON THE 2022 SECOND ROUND CROP AND LIVESTOCK ASSESSMENT
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement presented the 2021/22 Second Round Crop and Livestock Assessment Report, which was adopted by Cabinet.
Government wishes to inform the nation that the 2021/22 agricultural season was characterised by the late start of the rains which were received in the last week of December 2021. Rainfall distribution was poor in both space and time. This late onset of the rains caused late plantings, which were later affected by the prolonged dry spell. Some farmers were also forced to make several re-plantings as a result of poor crop establishment and the false start to the season. Late rains were received in April 2022, and the impact of these late rains have not yet been captured. The rains came at a time when the majority of the early planted crops had been affected by the dry spell. Highlights of the crop output projections are as follows: ◆ Maize production is estimated at 1 557 914 tonnes, which is 43 percent lower than the 2 717 171 tonnes which were produced in the 2020/2021 season;
◆ Traditional grains production is projected at 194 100 tonnes, which is 44 percent less than the 347 968 tonnes output of the previous season;
◆ The total cereal production projection is 1 752 014 tonnes, against a national cereal requirement of 2 267 599 tonnes (1 817 599 tonnes for human consumption and 450 000 tonnes for livestock);
◆ Cotton production is estimated at 116 521 tonnes in the 2021/2022 season, which is a 41 percent increase from the 195 991 tonnes in the2020/2021season;
◆ Tobacco production is estimated to decrease by 8 percent to 183 725 tonnes from 200 245 tonnes in 2020/2021 season; ◆ Soyabean production is expected to
increase by 15 percent to 82 028 tonnes; ◆ Rice production is estimated to increase by 15 percent from 468 tonnes in the 2020/21 season to 539 tonnes in the 2021/22 season;
• Irish potato production is estimated 534 543 in the 2021/22 season compared to 447 867 tonnes, a 19 percent increase; and
• Sweet potato production is estimated to increase by 269 percent, sugar beans by 142 percent and groundnuts by 139 percent.
The assessment further indicates an improvement in the livestock sector. This is attributable to the successful implementation of the Presidential Dipping Programme which is being complemented by the tick blitz exercise which continue to have a positive knock on tick borne disease.
The national beef cattle herd increased from 5 478 648 cattle in the previous season to 5 509 983 this season, and the national average cattle mortality rate decreased from 11 percent in 2020 to 9 percent in 2021.
Water for livestock is adequate across the country though it is anticipated that challenges may be encountered as the season progresses. The worst hit areas being Chiredzi, Gutu, Zvimba, Chegutu, and Mhondoro-Ngezi. In order to contain tick borne diseases, cattle were being dipped three to four times per month.
Milk production increased by 4 percent from the 76 695 156 litres in 2020 to 79 607 573 litres in 2021.
There is marked growth in poultry production, with day old chick production increasing to 91.6 million in 2021 compared to 71.4 million recorded in 2020, a 28 percent increase. Broiler meat production increased from 111 600 metric tonnes in 2020 to 143 500 metric tonnes in 2021. Small-scale holders continue to dominate broiler meat production and account for 75 percent of the meat which is being produced.
Egg production is also on the upward trend, having increased by a percentage point to 59,7 million dozen from the new high of 59,3 million dozen in 2020. Small-scale table egg production accounted for slightly over half of the total egg production (58 percent).
Cabinet takes this opportunity to reassure the nation that, despite the decline in production owing to the vagaries of the weather, there is, however, enough maize in stock. Also, the recent rains have resulted in better output in the late-planted crops.
The results will only be apparent at a later date. The Government will ensure that all Grain Marketing Board depots have enough maize and traditional grains to meet the demands of the nation, owing to a stable Strategic Grain Reserve position. The millers and stockfeed manufacturers, on the other hand, are urged to use their free funds to import the bulk of the 300 000 tonnes grain in order to meet their requirements.
REPORTS ON THE FIRST 100-DAY CYCLE OF 2022 PRIORITY PROJECTS
Cabinet received reports on the 1st 100-Day Cycle of 2022 Priority Projects as presented by the Ministers of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services; Finance and Economic
Development; Industry and Commerce; Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and Local Government and Public Works.
1. The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa, outlined the progress made on four on-going projects and four new projects in her sector as follows: the four on-going projects are: Nyangani community radio station, Nyanga, Manicaland; Radio Zimbabwe studios, Mbare, Harare; National University of Science and Technology campus radio, Bulawayo; and Lupane State University campus radio station. These projects are now complete and ready for launch.
The new projects are firstly National Development Strategy 1 Spotlight 2021 Production ( Chronicles of Success) which seeks to highlight successes of National Development Strategy 1. The document will help the public to track Government projects and achievements. Secondly, the Zimbabwe-in -brief production is a periodical document which seeks to attract foreign domestic investment and guide potential investors and tourists. The Publication acts as an authoritative source document for quick reference in Zimbabwe and outside. Zimbabwean in Brief Publication will be done in a visual, physical and digital form in order to reach to a wider audience. The third project which is the National Heroes/ Heroines Obituaries production involves the production of a more detailed heroes’ guide by profiling the life histories and contributions of heroes buried at the National Heroes Acres but who are not included in the current guide.
◆ The civil works for the Garawa community radio tower foundation construction in Chipinge district are in progress and commissioning is scheduled for end of May 2022. This area does not have any existing infrastructure and mobile networks. The tower will house a community broadcasting transmitter, while mobile network services can be deployed on that tower thereby improving access to information by these communities;
◆ The installation of studio equipment for the Nyangani community radio station is complete and installation of transmission equipment is in progress, with commissioning scheduled for end of May 2022. The outcome of this project will be increased participation by grassroots Nyanga communities in local and national affairs as well as enhance diversity and pluralism in radio broadcasting. The community radio station will cater for the Chihwesa speaking communities in Nyanga; ◆ For the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) campus radio station installation project, studio renovations and civil works for the installation of the campus radio station are ongoing. This will increase access to information by university students, staff and nearby communities; ◆ On the Lupane State University campus radio installation project, the antenna system has been secured and studio space identified on campus; and
◆ The Zim-Digital project is modernizing the Radio Zimbabwe studio and as of now the air conditioning system and console desk for the station’s Mbare Studio E has been installed. The project outcomes are improved radio signal in terms of quality for listeners’ due to migration to digital technology and improved user audiences interaction.