Cabinet received an update on the 2023/2024 Summer Crop Marketing, Food Security Outlook to March 2025, and Winter Cereals Production Plan for 2024, as presented by Honourable Dr. A.J. Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development.
A recent assessment revealed that 6 million people in rural areas and 1.7 million in urban areas will require assistance between May 2024 and March 2025. This amounts to 51% of the population needing food assistance, excluding an additional 4.5 million requiring school meals.
As of May 9, 2024, the Grain Marketing Board had 423,779 metric tonnes of grain stock. The private sector is expected to import all stockfeed requirements and up to 450,000 metric tonnes of maize for urban areas. The private sector has the capacity to import 1 million metric tonnes to alleviate the impact of drought.
For winter cereals production, 712,500 metric tonnes of wheat, barley, maize, sorghum, and potatoes are planned to be produced from 142,000 hectares of available irrigation land. Wheat production enablers such as power, water, seed, and fertilizers are monitored weekly.
The 2024 cotton marketing season will run from June 1 to 30, with farmers receiving 75% of payments in US dollars and 25% in Zimbabwean dollars. Outstanding payments by the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe will be cleared by May 31, 2024, amounting to US$2.65 million and 2.8 million in ZiG. A grade-based pricing system will be announced after consultations.
In the tobacco sector, as of May 8, 2024, 116.4 million kilograms were sold at an average price of US$3.57/kg, with decentralized floors contributing 35% of total tobacco sales under contract. The Africa Regional and Annual Tobacco Conference will be held in Harare from May 15 to 16, 2024, focusing on production challenges, sustainability, contracting models, and future prospects in Africa.
