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Mashudu Netsianda, Mashudu.netsianda@chronicle .co.zw

THE National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme will be expanded, with more banks contracting increased hectarage as Government steps up efforts to boost food security in the country.

Through financial support from the African Development Bank in the 2023/2024 season, Government will increase the percentage of traditional grains seed availability by ensuring that the Agricultural Rural Development Authority (Arda) and Grain Marketing Board (GMB) package standard traditional grains as seed for this year’s summer cropping season. 

The national target hectarage for strategic crops is 3, 04 million ha with an expected yield of about 3,8 million tonnes.

In her post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said while Zimbabwe has adequate grains in stock for the next two seasons, Government has put in place robust measures encompassing irrigation and agricultural climate-proofing in order to maintain increased production.

“The nation is informed that Zimbabwe has adequate grains in stock for the next two seasons. However, the sensitivity analysis for the 2023/2024 season based on the previous year’s analysis indicates reduced crop production,” she said.

“Accordingly Cabinet has put in place robust measures encompassing irrigation and agricultural climate-proofing in order to maintain increased production. In line with Government priorities in the agricultural sector, the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme will be expanded with more banks contracting increased hectarage.” 

Cabinet recently approved the 2023/24 Summer Cropping Plan and State of Preparedness, which seeks to achieve national food, feed and edible oils self-sufficiency.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Government has also put additional measures to enhance production and these include enhanced climate-proofing through expanded moisture enhancer demonstrations and alignment of crops grown with agro-ecological regions.

Other measures are the grain swaps whereby the GMB will continue to promote traditional grains production in regions four and five and provide weather-indexed and area/yield insurance for smallholder farmers under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Scheme.

“The additional measures also include Vision 2030 Agricultural Livelihoods Tracker (VALT) that will track the uplifting of households and livelihoods through agricultural and rural development programmes,” she said.

“Through financial support from the African Development Bank in the 2023/2024 season, Government will increase the percentage of traditional grains seed availability by ensuring that ARDA and GMB package standard traditional grains as seed for the 2023/2024 season.”

To incentivise the production of traditional grains, Minister Mutsvangwa said Government will announce planning prices and marketing modalities in August annually and empower farmers from 460 irrigation schemes by availing Presidential Inputs in time. 

“In terms of rural development, the strategy is to accelerate borehole drilling and the establishment of village business units (VBUs) and veld management. These measures support the current positive production trends,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

The establishment of VBUs under the Presidential Rural Development Programme is contributing immensely to the betterment of lives of people living in rural areas as some are expected to receive dividends of up to US$3  000.

The VBUs have transformed the lives of villagers across the country through improved food security, employment and enhanced income generation.

The Government initiated the programme through the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and Arda.  President Mnangagwa launched the programme in Mangwe District, Matabeleland South in 2021.