Crops, livestock in good condition – Zimbabwe Situation zimbabwesituation.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from zimbabwesituation.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Prof. Mthuli Ncube
Zimbabwe’s economy has been through the worst of sorting out the fiscal and monetary problems inherited by the Second Republic and Government is now working on ensuring strong growth from this year, riding on achievements recorded under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and the growth measures enunciated in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Further, measures to cushion civil servants and vulnerable groups of society will be widened this year, despite the challenges brought by Covid-19.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Herald recently, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said although the year has started with a tightened lockdown induced by Covid-19, prospects of recovery were high on the back of a promising agriculture season due to excellent rains across the country, and expected higher mineral prices.
Dr John Basera
THERE are expectations the 2020/2021 summer cropping season would be one of the most productive seasons post-land reform, as the Government prepares to undertake a national crop and livestock assessment.
The exercise, set to begin this week, is expected to take “three or so weeks”.
Usually, the national crop and livestock survey begins mid to end of January every year.
Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera said they were finalising preparations for the programme.
“We are working on starting the programme soon. Perhaps we will be able to start next (this) week. I will have a clearer position on Monday,” he said.
The country is set to achieve food self-sufficiency this year after two successive seasons of drought .
Increased targeted investments in the agricultural sector will help the progress being made by the country to reclaim its status as the breadbasket of the region.
Programmes such as Pfumvudza/Intwasa Conservation Scheme, Zunde Ramambo, National Enhanced Crop Productivity Scheme (Command Agriculture), the Livestock Growth Plan and mechanisation have assisted in increasing productivity.
In his year-end State of Agriculture report, Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said the trend needs to be maintained and sustained.
“We are on course to achieving national food security in 2021, but we want permanent national food security,” said Dr Masuka.