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Cabinet received and noted the update on the 2023/2024 summer crops marketing, food security outlook to March 2025, 2024, winter crops production and the 2024/2025 summer crop season plan, as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Anxious Masuka.

To date, the Grain Marketing Board has received 20 148 tonnes of maize, soyabeans, sorghum and sunflower from the El Nino-ravaged 2023/2024 summer season.

The private sector has imported 974 658 tonnes of maize, wheat and wheat flour since April 1 2024, and Government of Zimbabwe has also imported 39 916 tonnes of maize. The total Strategic Grain Reserve stock stands at 244 296 tonnes.

Pertaining to the ongoing food deficit mitigation programme, cumulatively, Government has distributed 197 628,796  tonnes of grain to feed the vulnerable and food insecure households since February 2024.

Additionally, Government has also distributed 17 421 tonnes of mealie-meal to schools under the emergency schools feeding programme since the beginning of the third term, with a view of ensuring learners get a decent meal each school day.

Regarding 2024 winter wheat production, a record wheat crop has been harvested to date.

As at 1 November, about 106 238 hectares had been harvested, giving a total of 518 502 tonnes of wheat, surpassing the 465 546 tonnes achieved in 2023.

To date, 75 000 tonnes of wheat has been delivered to the Grain Marketing Board. The remarkable performance of the winter wheat programme attests to the foresight, planning and organizational dexterity of His Excellency the President, Cde ED Mnangagwa.

Harvesting is proceeding using over 291 configured combine harvesters and more than 550 000 tonnes of wheat is expected.

The 2024/2025 summer season plan aims to increase production of cereals to 3 274 200 tonnes, against the 744 271 tonnes obtained during the 2023/2024 summer season.

The overall production volumes of major crops are expected to increase by 347 percent from a mere 915 000 tonnes to over 4 million tonnes.

The production target for cereals is 3,3 million tonnes, while that for pulses is 819 500 tonnes.

Under the Presidential Input Schemes, 91 percent of the targeted 9,5 million plots have been prepared by 86 percent of the targeted 3,5 million households.

All beneficiaries will receive 50 percent of their inputs by November 24, 2024.

The Government has adopted additional measures to curb the abuse of inputs.

The measures include the blacklisting any official involved in input abuse; banning ward committees involved in inputs abuse; and implementing an improved standard operating procedure with role clarity.

The National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme will establish a total of 52 500 hectares under maize, soyabean, traditional grains and sunflower, with a target to produce 256 000 tonnes.

The private sector has also undertaken to fund establishment of 95 046 hectares of maize, soyabeans, potatoes, sugar beans and sunflower.

The ARDA facility will plant 100 000 hectares under maize and 50 000 hectares of traditional grains. The private sector support for cotton targets 418 800 farmers to plant 270 000 hectares under cotton. The target tobacco production for the 2024/2025 season is 300 million kilogrammes, and to date, over 117 000 growers have registered.

PROPOSED PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT ON THE UPGRADING, CONSTRUCTION AND TOLLING OF THE HARARE-NYAMAPANDA ROAD, AND NYAMAPANDA BORDER POST

Cabinet considered and approved the proposed Public Private Partnership project between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and a private company on the upgrading, construction and tolling of the Harare-Nyamapanda Road, and Nyamapanda Border Post as presented by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Honourable Professor Mthuli Ncube.

Cabinet advises that the joint venture is on the upgrading, construction and tolling of the Harare-Nyamapanda Road, and Nyamapanda Border Post through a build, operate and transfer model.

In terms of the agreement, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), will hold equity in the project and facilitate the flow of funds between the various stakeholders.

The Harare- Nyamapanda Construction SPV, based in Zimbabwe, will be responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the road and border post infrastructure.

The Harare-Nyamapanda Tolling SPV, based in Zimbabwe, will be tasked with the collection of toll charges from road users, which will be used to service the project’s debt and generate returns for equity investors. The project will be fully funded by the investor.

The project will enhance trade efficiency between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, reducing congestion and delays. This improvement will facilitate smoother and faster movement of goods, which will boost local businesses and attract new investments.

The increased trade activity will create job opportunities, reduce unemployment rates in the region. Additionally, the upgrade will improve revenue collection for the Government which can be reinvested into local infrastructure and services.

The project will improve the quality of life for local residents by reducing the time and cost associated with cross-border travel and trade.

It is also expected to enhance regional integration and cooperation, fostering a sense of community and shared economic goals. Furthermore, the reduction in congestion and improved infrastructure will likely lead to better safety and security at the border benefiting both travellers and residents.

The economic benefits from increased trade and investment will trickle down to various sectors of the economy, including transportation, hospitality and retail.

PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE THIRD 100-DAY CYCLE OF 2024

Cabinet received reports on progress made in the implementation of priority projects for the Third 100-Day Cycle of 2024, as presented by the Ministers of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training; and Transport and Infrastructural Development.

The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Honourable Tinoda Machakaire reported progress on projects under his purview as follows:

Preparations for the Youth Empowerment Forum at Magamba Vocational Training Centre where over 10 000 youths from different provinces are expected to attend are at an advanced stage,

Awareness programmes on drug and substance abuse reached an estimated 15 000 youths at different platforms;

More than one million youths accessed drug and substance abuse information through a mega awareness Campaign that was organised at Dungane Farm in Makonde districts, Mashonaland Central Province;

Refurbishment of a male hostel at Magamba Vocational Training Centre which accommodates at least 80 students is now at 80 percent completion;

Construction of the Sivomo Vocational Training Centre is on-going and at 75 percent complete;

Materials for the construction of the Kadoma Vocational Training Centre have been secured and a contractor is on site;

About 1 081 youths had been identified and allocated to institutions for community attachment, while youth from Vumba and Dadaya training Centres have successfully managed to complete their training Programme and preparations for deployment; and

Land covering 3 hectares at Magamba Vocational Training Centre was planted with commercial beans; while an area covering 1 hectare was planted with commercial peas at Tabudirira Vocational Training Centre.

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Tapiwa Mhona reported progress on projects under his purview as follows:

The repair and maintenance at the RG Mugabe International Airport in Harare is 98 percent complete and will be completed this year;

Construction of the 3,8 km for the cycle under the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road upgrade is complete and opened to traffic;

Construction of the Mbudzi Interchange, in Harare stands at 77 pertcent complete. Two bridges at Amalinda road and Harare drive missing link have been completed and opened to traffic; the Masvingo-Glen Norah loop was opened to traffic; 1,6 km of  Amalinda Road completed and opened to traffic; and the 750m Harare drive missing link completed;

10 km surfacing of the 20km targeted under the Harare-Kanyemba Road upgrading, in Harare and Mashonaland Central Provinces, was completed and opened to traffic and construction progress of the other 10 km is above 60 percent; and

The 8km road under the Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Road Rehabilitation, in Midlands Province was commissioned and opened to traffic.

PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTING THE EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT OF SADC HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT

Cabinet considered and noted Preparations for hosting the Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government as presented by the Honourable Vice President CGDN Chiwenga.

The nation is informed that an extraordinary summit is scheduled to be held in Harare from November 16 to 20, primarily to address emerging issues of regional significance.

The summit is expected to be briefed on political events in the region, including the recent elections in Mozambique and Botswana and upcoming polls in Namibia.

Preparations for hosting are at an advanced stage. Technical sub- committees have already started convening meetings to prepare for the Extraordinary Summit.

The sub-committees will ride on the already established protocols which facilitated the successful hosting of the 44th SADC Summit in order to ensure the seamless convening of the extraordinary summit.

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN SADC MEMBER STATES REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF SADC CENTRE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY (SACREEE)

Cabinet considered and approved the Memorandum of Agreement between SADC member states regarding the establishment of SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi.

To ensure universal access to sustainable modern energy by 2030, the Government of Zimbabwe continues to explore and incorporate clean and efficient energy sources to meet the country’s energy needs.

To achieve this, the Government initiates and promotes cooperation with private and public entities, regional and international bodies.

The Memorandum of Agreement between SADC member states regarding the establishment of SACREEE to be hosted by Namibia will allow Zimbabwe to join the region in facilitating access to modern and clean energy and improved energy security across the region by promoting market-based uptake of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies.

The cooperation will enable the creation and reinforcing of ecosystems for renewable energy deployment at national and regional level; development of technical facilities that can pilot and demonstrate replicable renewable energy applications; assistance in testing and standardization of energy efficient technologies; training and skills development; and implementation of a global network of knowledge and expertise to be utilized for deployment.

THE ACCESSION OF THE TRADE-RELATED ASPECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (TRIPS) AMENDMENT PROTOCOL OF 2025

Cabinet considered and approved the accession of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Amendment Protocol of 2025, as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, as the chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.

Zimbabwe is a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and is party to its constitutive agreements.

In January 2017, the protocol amending the TRIPS entered into force. TRIPS provides for medicines to be produced under special compulsory licence, for export to countries particularly reliant on oversees supplies to meet the needs of their patients.

It secures a legal pathway for access to affordable medicines as a permanent part of the agreement, and it creates a very valuable public health safeguard.

PROPOSED THEMES FOR THE 65TH EDITION OF THE ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

Cabinet considered and approved the proposed themes for the 65th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, as presented by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable NM Ndlovu.

The nation is informed that the 2025 ZITF will be held from April 22 to 26. The exhibition will spotlight strategies essential to accelerate economic development and will catalyse the embracing of trade opportunities as provided for by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

ZITF 2025will be private sector led and the investment and export development programmes will play a central role.

Given the national vision of developing the economy to ensure the achievement of an upper middle income economy by 2030, Cabinet approved “Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape” as the theme for the event.

The theme emphasises the importance of establishing a strong and competitive industrial base in Zimbabwe to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance the country’s global competitiveness.

LAUNCH OF ZIMBABWE’S SECOND SATELLITE

Cabinet received an update on the launch of Zimbabwe’s second satellite, which was presented by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Honourable Frederick Shava.

The nation is informed that Zimbabwe launched its second earth observation satellite, ZimSat-2, into orbit today (yesterday).

The ZimSat-2 satellite was launched from Russia. It was designed and manufactured through a collaborative research programme between the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA) and Southwest State University in Russia.

The satellite was designed for earth observations and data collection in agriculture, environmental protection and natural resource management.

ZimSat-2 will monitor the earth and support missions that keep track of crop health, predict yields and identify nutrient deficiencies.

Developed using modern technologies, it demonstrates high efficiency and reliability and is a key milestone in the development of our nation as we work towards Vision 2030.