Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere yesterday said preparations for the 2023/2024 farming season were at an advanced stage with land preparations and irrigation facilities already set.
In a post-cabinet media briefing on what Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minister Anxious Masuku had told Cabinet, Muswere said Zimbabwe had already adopted agricultural models meant to mitigate the forecasted drought effects in the current farming season.
This followed a preliminary weather forecast indicating that large parts of Southern Africa were expected to receive normal to below normal rainfall in the 2023/2024 cropping season.
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“Under the National Enhanced Agriculture Production Programme (NEAPS) a target of 92 000 hectares has been set. About 40.8% of available maize seed is of early to ultra-early maturity. The acceleration of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme is progressing well as well as the distribution of inputs across the country,” Muswere said.
“Regarding the irrigation update, dams are 82% full across the country. Some 70 316 hectares have been committed for irrigated maize production, with a potential of 400 000-500 000 metric tonnes production. In terms of the summer financing schemes, Government will contribute USD 642.372 million while the Bankers Association indicates that Z$68 billion and USD 160 million has been committed for the 2023/24 season.”
Meanwhile, the government has assured the nation that Zimbabwe’s grain reserve was still in the positive zone while the private sector has already been given the greenlight to import additional grain.
“Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the Grain Marketing Board Stocks as at 24/09/23 for maize stood at 215 000 metric tonnes, traditional grains at 48 026 metric tonnes and 137 414 metric tonnes of wheat. Wheat stocks will last for a period of six months at a monthly drawdown rate of 21 000 metric tonnes. With a projected El Nino season ahead, the private sector has been allowed to import additional maize and soyabean. In addition, the importation of mealie meal by households will continue duty free,” Muswere said.
The Meteorological Services Department forecasted that during the 2023/24 summer rainfall season, the three zones (Region 1, 2, and 3) will have a higher probability of receiving normal to below normal rainfall for most of the sub-seasons that make the period October 2023 to March 2024.
Much of Matabeleland North, parts of Midlands covering Gokwe North and South districts, and parts of Matabeleland South, are expected to receive below normal to normal rainfall, while normal rainfall with a bias towards below normal rainfall is highly likely for the remaining provinces.
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The rainfall is expected to be erratic in space and time, with violent storms, prolonged dry spells, flash floods and tropical cyclones as the season progresses.
