By Tatenda Mujeyi
Zimbabwe continues on upward trajectory in agro industry supported by Pfumvudza/Inthwasa success, winter wheat crop increase and 2021-2022 farming season preparations as presented in the post cabinet briefing this week.
The country which is experiencing an increase in the grain products delivery to the GMB following an over 55% increase has also seen positives in the 2021 winter farming season.
“Regarding the ongoing marketing of grain, a total of 1, 293 million metric tonnes of grain comprising maize, soya beans, wheat and traditional grains have so far been delivered to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), which is a phenomenal increase from last year’s comparative deliveries of 327 446 metric tonnes. Cumulatively, 227 000 metric tonnes of wheat have been delivered to date.” Chairperson of Post cabinet briefing and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said.
The country has also added to it’s positive agriculture trajectory by setting potentially self sustainable targets for it’s 2021 to 2022 farming season.
“On preparations for the summer grains production season, work is on-going to attain the following targets for the season:2 million hectares of maize; 70 000 hectares of soya bean; and 655 000 hectares of traditional grains.” Minister Mutsvangwa also said.
Following the success of the country’s climate conscious Yfumvudza/Inthwasa success the country has also recorded a 52% increase in the scheme’s uptake by households.
“Cabinet is pleased to advise that subscription for the Climate-Proofed Presidential Inputs Pfumvudza/Intwasa Suppy Scheme has been overwhelming, with 2.484 million households already rolling out the programme, compared to the 1.5 million which were rolled out at the same time last year.” The Chairperson of the post cabinet briefing also said.
The country has also taken the decision to include sunflower and cotton into the country’s oil seeds basket which has subsequently seen an increased allocation of resources and hectarege for the plants.
“Following submissions from the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Cabinet took the strategic decision to include sunflower and cotton as part of the country’s oil seeds basket, in order to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. Resultantly, the targeted hectrage for sunflower and cotton has been reviewed upwards.” The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa also said.
While the number of tobacco growers by the same period has reduced by just over ten thousand the country has seen a 31 % increase in planted area and over 300 new growers.
“Meanwhile, a total of 114 721 tobacco growers have registered for the 2021/2022 season, compared to 124 943 growers who had registered during the same period last season. To date, the total area planted is 31% above that planted last season. There are 345 new growers.” Minister Monica Mutsvangwa also said.
Zimbabwe has been argued to be the former food basket, with the industry arguably an imperative of the country’s target of becoming a middle income economy by 2030 and the broader sustainable development goals achievement.
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