4,6m Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots prepared for 2022-23 farming season
CABINET received an update on the country‘s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and a report on the procurement and rollout of vaccines, as presented by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Hon Professor Amon Murwira, as the Acting Minister of Health and Child Care.
The nation is being informed that since the outbreak of the pandemic, the country’s cumulative Covid-19 cases stood at 258 643 as at November 13, 2022, with 252 567 recoveries and 5 610 deaths. The recovery rate was 98 percent, with 465 active cases recorded. A total of 295 new cases were recorded during the week, compared to 179 the previous week. Twenty-six new hospital admissions were recorded during the reporting period compared to the 13 reported the previous week. The slight increase indicates that the country needs to remain vigilant.
Regarding the National Vaccination Programme, Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that, as at November 13, 2022, a total of 6 560 712 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine had been administered, while 4 929 331 people had received their second dose, and 1 215 375 their third dose.
Provinces continue to prioritise Covid-19 vaccinations in all schools, with a focus on the 503 secondary schools which have not yet reached the 2nd dose coverage target of 70 percent. The provinces were also preparing for the second round of poliomyelitis vaccination campaign which is scheduled for early December 2022.
The nation is advised that the country’s Covid-19 pandemic response remains on track. However, in view of the small increase in new cases, Cabinet has resolved as follows:
◆ That all provinces include the Covid-19 vaccination activities in the second round of poliomyelitis vaccination campaign scheduled for December 2022; and ◆ That provinces continue strengthening community engagement on all Covid-19 Public Health and Social Measures (PHSM) in order to address the “Covid-19 fatigue” being observed in most communities.
REPORT ON THE NATIONAL GRAINS STATUS, WHEAT HARVESTING AND DELIVERIES
Cabinet received and considered the weekly Report on the National Grains Status, wheat harvesting and deliveries, as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka.
Cabinet advises that the grain stocks at GMB as at November 14, 2022 stood at 566 841 tonnes comprising 487 274 tonnes of maize and 79 567 tonnes of traditional grains. Using the monthly consumption rate of 49 294 tonnes, the available grain will last for 11.5 months.
Government is pleased that increased traditional grains intake by Masvingo and Matabeleland North GMB depots bear testimony to the ongoing success of climate-proofing efforts encompassing targeted distribution of seed varieties according to agro-ecological zones in order to ensure food security.
Wheat stocks stand at 154 000 tonnes, and this will provide 7,3 months’ cover at a consumption rate of 21 000 tonnes per month. The cumulative harvested area of the 2022 winter wheat crop stands at 54 716 hectares, translating to 68 percent of the planted area. The total production stands at 119 885 tonnes of wheat, with damage to the crop caused by the rains recently received across the country still being assessed. The volume of wheat delivered to contractors stands at 46 726.53 tonnes.
Meanwhile, cumulative grain (maize, wheat,
soyabeans and traditional grains) sales since April 2022 stand at about ZW$24.5 billion, comprising 222 558 tonnes output. The private sector has purchased 145 489 tonnes of maize of the 345 000 mt purchased. This is in line with the Government policy that contractors should directly finance the production of at least 40 percent of their grain requirements as per the value-chain financing policy. Social welfare distribution allocation now stands at 24 295 tonnes per month for the period October to December 2022, and will increase during the lean period of January to March, 2023. In general, the grain situation shows that the country is food secure.
UPDATE ON PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2022/2023 SUMMER PRODUCTION SEASON
Cabinet considered and adopted an update on preparations for the 2022/2023 summer production season, as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr AJ Masuka.
Cabinet notes that most areas across the country have received rainfall expected at this time of the year, that is, the country is experiencing an early rain season. All agro-ecological zones are therefore increasingly expected to receive normal to above-normal rainfall during the period November to December 2022 and January 2023.
Government advises that inputs are being distributed to match agro-ecological zones’ requirements. Inputs distribution, registration, mobilisation and training of farmers are in progress. Planting has commenced in some areas, and concerns over the prices of inputs, especially fertiliser, are being looked into. The objective for the 2022/2023 Summer Production Season remains to achieve food, stockfeed and oilseed self-sufficiency from a total of 3 950 283 hectares output, which are expected to yield a total of 4 928 260 tonnes for all crops. In terms of financing, the major sources of funds for the production of the major crops are the climate proofed Presidential Inputs Support (Pfumvudza/Intwasa) Programme, the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), Agricultural Rural Development Authority (ARDA), the private sector, and self-financing. NEAPS comprising CBZ Agro Yield and AFC Holdings makes up about 23 percent of the financing, and it is therefore critical that the programme is adequately capitalized. The AFC Scheme is targeting a total out of 357 000 tonnes of maize, soyabeans, sunflower and traditional grains from 65 000 hectares.
Meanwhile, the Grain Marketing Board is
receiving and distributing Pfumvudza/Intwasa inputs to farmers, and is targeting to have completed distribution by November 30, 2022. To date, 54 percent of the maize has been received by GMB depots of which 68 percent has been distributed to beneficiaries, while 47 percent of the received traditional grains have been distributed. Seventy nine percent of the basal and top-dressing fertilisers received have been distributed. Adequate transport for movement of all inputs to wards has been mobilised. A total of 4 610 636 Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots have been prepared. This is a significant increase from last season’s 2 304 417 Pfumvudza/Intwasa plots, while 2 707 064 farmers have been trained, compared to 2 071 627 during the previous season. Fifteen thousand three hundred and twenty nine Farmers’ Field Schools have been established. Incidents of corruption and violence at input distribution points are under investigation. The composition of distribution committees has been expanded and security enhanced at the centres to curtail such practices and the public is urged to quickly report any incidents they may come across to authorities in their area.
For the 2022/2023 season, Cabinet wishes to highlight that the total area planted under cereals stands at 13 907 hectares for maize, 270 hectares for sorghum and 147 hectares for pearl millet. Distribution of cotton inputs is underway, with 540 000 households targeted for support under the Cotton Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme. The area planted under tobacco has marginally increased to 29 805 hectares, compared to 28 648 hectares during the similar period of the 2021/2022 season. The target for the season is 236 m/kilograms up from 212 m/ kilograms last year. ARDA has planted 12 539 hectares out of the targeted 50 000 hectares.
Regarding livestock, the nation is informed that a total of 261 435 chickens and 3 332 goats have been distributed under the Presidential Rural Poultry and Goat schemes, respectively. In terms of water supply, a total of 368 boreholes have been drilled under the Borehole Drilling Programme across the country.
REPORTS ON THE 3RD 100-DAY CYCLE PRIORITY PROJECTS
Cabinet received reports on progress made in the implementation of priority projects for the 3rd 100-Day Cycle of 2022, as presented by the Ministers of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development; Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; Local Government and Public Works; and Transport and Infrastructural Development.
4.1 The Minister of Higher and Tertiary
Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Hon. Professor Amon Murwira reported on the six projects being implemented by his Ministry. He highlighted the progress as follows:
◆ The renovation of the identified Binga Training Centre in Matabeleland North Province was completed and 60 students have been recruited. The development of the new Binga Industrial Training College site has commenced;
◆ The construction of the Midlands State University Law School complex in Kwekwe has reached 90 percent completion.;
◆ The Gwanda State University Mining Innovation and Laboratories Complex has reached 90 percent completion; ◆ Block B of the proposed three-wing student service centre at the National University of Science and Technology has been completed;
◆ The refurbishment of the factory shell to house the national number plate programme at the University of Zimbabwe has reached 90 percent completion, with the number plates production plant having been installed. The plant has capacity to produce 7 million e-number plates annually; and
◆ The establishment of the baobab juice plant at Mutare Teachers College has reached 85 percent of completion, with the superstructure having been completed and the production plant installed.
4.2 The Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Hon Kazembe Kazembe, outlined the following progress for projects being implemented in his sector:
◆ The construction of an administration block and five staff houses at the Zimbabwe Republic Police Dotito Camp in Mt. Darwin is about 86 percent complete; ◆ The solar electrification of Mlambapele Border Post and staff accommodation in Matabeleland South Province was completed;
◆ The re-development of the Harare Kopje National Monument in Harare Metropolitan Province is underway, with the perimeter map having been produced and the concept note for the designing of the eternal flame completed;
◆ The decentralisation of e-passport services to Zvishavane, Chinhoyi, and Marondera is underway; and
◆ The digitising of chieftainship delineation Reports for the Mhondoro-Ngezi and Sanyati Districts at the Kadoma District Development Coordinator’s Office is also underway.
4.3 The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Hon. July Moyo, presented a compendium of projects being implemented in his sector, in the following areas: Construction of Composite Buildings; Spatial Planning; Maintenance of Public Buildings; Construction of Disaster Recovery Houses; and Devolution. He highlighted progress on some of the projects as follows:
◆ The Siakobvu Local Development Plan
has reached 80 percent completion; ◆ Pertaining to maintenance of public buildings, the Karoi District Development Coordinator’s Complex is at 15 percent of completion;
◆ The construction of 10 houses under the Chimanimani Disaster Recovery Houses has reached 80 percent of completion; and ◆ Under devolution projects, the rehabilitation of Mapunya Primary School in Mberengwa District, Midlands Province has reached 80 percent of completion.