Cabinet considered and noted the Update on the Preparations for the 2023/2024 Summer Season which was presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. A.J. Masuka.
The nation is informed that preparations for the 2023/2024 Summer Season are well on course.
Over 1.9 million farmers have so far been trained under the Climate-Proofed Presidential Inputs Pfumvudza/Intwasa Supply Scheme, while 7.6 million plots have already been prepared.
Farmers have generally responded positively to climate-proofing interventions for El Nino.
There is adequate fertiliser for the Presidential Programme and other schemes. Other farmers can now import fertiliser for own use following approval by government.
Meanwhile, dryland tobacco planting has slowed down because of the late rains. 40 contractors have registered for tobacco production, with the total indicative area contracted at 148 000 hectares.
To date, a total of 31 681 hectares of tobacco have been planted, representing a 4.6% increase above last year during the same period.
Pertaining to cotton, Cabinet wishes to advise the public that a total of 11 contractors have indicated their intention to contract farmers this season while nine contractors have contracted growers.
The Agricultural Marketing Authority has completed the induction of Common Input Distribution Point Clerks across the country. The targeted production is 271 286 hectares by 400 786 farmers with an estimated volume of 130-140 000 MT.
Presidential Climate-Proofed Pfumvudza/Intwasa Cotton Programme and inputs distribution will utilize established GMB channels and Committees at ward level with the usual Ward Committees.
A monitoring system through AGRITEX has been introduced to monitor Pfumvudza/Intwasa from planting through to marketing.
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