The Cabinet recently provided an update on the 2023/24 summer crops marketing, food security outlook up to March 2025, and the 2024 winter cereals plan, as reported by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Dr. A.J. Masuka.
The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) expects to intake 210,000 metric tonnes of maize and traditional grains this season. This figure 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. To date, GMB has received 9,290 metric tonnes of grain.
The projected wheat intake stands at 300,000 metric tonnes, largely supported by 60,000 hectares funded through ARDA.Since the grain marketing season began on April 1, 2024, the private sector has imported approximately 168,000 metric tonnes of maize and 17,000 metric tonnes of wheat, totaling 185,000 metric tonnes. In response to the drought experienced during the 2023/24 agricultural season, the private sector aims to import 1,000,000 metric tonnes of maize.
Additionally, the Government of Zimbabwe is set to receive 300,000 metric tonnes of maize imports starting this month. So far, the government has distributed 53,826 metric tonnes of grain under the Social Welfare Programme.The cotton marketing season commenced on June 6, 2024, and will conclude on July 6, 2024.
The eight registered contractors are only permitted to buy seed cotton after fulfilling payments to farmers from the previous season and completing all grade differential payments. There are 647 Common Buying Points across the country, with minimum seed cotton prices set at US$0.43/kg for grade A, US$0.39/kg for grade B, US$0.36/kg for grade C, and US$0.32/kg for grade D.
Farmers will be paid 75% in USD and 25% in ZiG. As of June 24, 2024, around 7.9 million kilograms of cotton have been marketed.In tobacco, as of June 20, 2024, a total of 203.3 million kilograms have been sold at an average price of US$3.46/kg. This represents a 24.7% decrease in sales volume compared to the same period in 2023. However, tobacco prices have risen, with auction floor prices increasing by 25% from US$2.89/kg in 2023 to US$3.61/kg in 2024, and contract floor prices increasing by 15% from US$3.00/kg in 2023 to US$3.45/kg in 2024.
Notably, 38% of the tobacco was sold through decentralized sales floors. Around 86 million kilograms of tobacco have been exported at an average price of US$5.57/kg, compared to 69 million kilograms at US$5.37/kg in 2023, with 59% of exports going to the Far East, mainly China.For the winter season, 6,449 hectares of barley have been planted against a target of 7,000 hectares, with an expected harvest of 42,000 metric tonnes.
The wheat planting deadline was June 14, 2024, with 121,982 hectares planted, surpassing the target of 120,000 hectares by 2%. This marks the highest wheat planting in the country’s history.Efforts to maximize wheat productivity include tracking 16 production enablers such as power, water, seed, fertilizer, fuel, finance, and infrastructure on a weekly basis. Wheat farmers’ clusters have been submitted to ZESA and ZINWA for dedicated electricity and water supply in major wheat-growing districts.These developments are part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance food security and support the agricultural sector.
