KEY POINTS
- Officials involved in abuse face strict penalties.
- The input scheme targets 3.3 million metric tonnes of cereals.
- ZimSat-2 will monitor crop health and yields.
At a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere revealed that the government has implemented new steps to prevent input theft under the Presidential Input Scheme.
Government targets improved input security and accountability
Muswere declared that ward committees concerned with input abuse would be banned and officials engaging in such acts would be blacklisted.
“In contrast to the 744,271 metric tonnes produced during the 2023-24 season, the 2024-25 summer season plan aims to increase cereal production to 3.27 million metric tonnes,” he stated. “An increase of 347% is anticipated in the total production of major crops, from 915,000 metric tonnes to over four million metric tonnes.”
819,500 metric tonnes of pulses and 3.3 million metric tonnes of cereals are among the goals. 86% of the 3.5 million targeted households are taking part in the program, and 91% of the 9.5 million plots that were intended have been prepared. By November 24, 2024, beneficiaries would receive half of their inputs, according to Muswere.
Refining procedures for job clarity, prohibiting involved ward committees, and blacklisting officials are other anti-abuse actions.
Zimbabwe launches satellite to aid agricultural monitoring
With a projected yield of 256,000 metric tonnes, 52,500 hectares of maize, soybean, traditional grains, and sunflower will be planted under the National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme. The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) will plant 100,000 hectares of maize and 50,000 hectares of traditional grains, while the private sector will finance 95,046 hectares of maize, soybeans, potatoes, sugar beans, and sunflowers.
According to Newsday with private sector assistance, 418,800 farmers are expected to cultivate 270,000 hectares of cotton. More than 117,000 growers are registered to meet the 300 million kilogram tobacco production objective for the 2024–25 growing season.
A public-private partnership to upgrade, build, and toll the Nyamapanda border post and the Harare-Nyamapanda Highway was also approved by the cabinet. The initiative would manage funds and equity among partners using a special-purpose company.
Newsday stated that Muswere also declared that ZimSat-2, the nation’s second earth observation satellite, had been launched from Russia. ZimSat-2, created in collaboration with the Southwest State University of Russia and the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA), would aid in resource management, agriculture, and environmental preservation by assisting in crop health monitoring and yield prediction.
