In the face of the El Nino-induced drought, the Cabinet continues to update the nation on food security and agricultural plans, as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Axious Masuka. President Mnangagwa has assured that no one in Zimbabwe will die of hunger.
To augment the Strategic Grain Reserves, the government has secured maize imports of 300,000 metric tonnes, expected to start arriving this month. So far, 53,826 metric tonnes of grain have been distributed under the Social Welfare Programme.
Domestically, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) expects to intake 210,000 metric tonnes of maize and traditional grains this season. This includes 150,000 metric tonnes from the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) and 60,000 metric tonnes from Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) contracted farmers. Currently, the GMB’s grain intake stands at 9,290 metric tonnes, with a projected wheat intake of 300,000 metric tonnes based on 60,000 hectares funded under the ARDA facility.
Since the grain marketing season began on April 1, 2024, the private sector has imported about
