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To ensure agriculture sector viability, the government is taking corrective measures to address some bottlenecks that could impinge on the development of the sector, Dr. Jenfan Miuswere, the Acting Chairperson of the Cabinet Briefings has said.
In the 15th Post Cabinet Press Briefing today, Dr Muswere said Cabinet received an update on the 2022/23 Cereal Marketing Season and the 2022 Winter Wheat Production Programme as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka.
He informed the nation that the 2022/23 grains marketing season commenced on 1 April 2022, with substantial stocks of 453 717 Metric Tonnes (MT) having been carried over from the previous season as a Strategic Grain Reserve.
Dr. Muswere revealed that Cabinet has approved a review of the price of maize to ensure farmers’ viability. The Minister alluded to the current maize price to ZW$75 000/MT and a fixed early delivery incentive of US$90/MT.
He said the early delivery incentive will be extended to other crops such as traditional grains, sunflower and soya bean, payable to 31 July 2022, and apply to all deliveries made since the commencement of the marketing season.
The nation is further informed that GMB wheat stocks as of 3 June 2022 stood at about 67 000 MT and 101 182 MT in the country, including stocks held by millers.
“These stocks are expected to last for 4 months, at an allocation rate of 21 000 MT per month. Millers are expected to import 9 000 MT per month to meet the country’s monthly requirement of 30 000 MT per month.
“Regarding the 2022 winter wheat production, the target is to plant 75 000 ha and produce 383 000 MT, which would be a record crop for the country. Despite challenges with the late start of commencement of the winter season, planting to date is 62.8% of the target, being above last year by 70%. The bulk of the planted wheat is at the hardening stage. Cabinet wishes to remind the public that all contractors of grains should register with the Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) by 15th June each year, in accordance with Section 5 of SI 140 of 2013, for them to be able to participate and enter into contract farming,” Dr. Muswere said.
In tobacco production and marketing, he informed the nation that a total of 122.7 million kilogrammes (kg) of tobacco valued at US$366.8 million have been sold to date, compared to 141 million kg worth US$382 million sold during the same period last year. The Auction and Contract floors’ average selling price has been firmer this year at US$2.99/kg compared to US$2.71/kg in 2021. The target for the 2022/2023 season is 275 million kg from 135 000 ha, with 96% of the tobacco expected to be produced under contract.
“Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that henceforth, cotton is now treated as an export crop, just like tobacco, with prices being determined by fair pricing based on international lint prices. This should motivate growers to produce more in the coming seasons,” he added.