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South Africa is currently importing thousands of tonnes of maize, marking the first import of this grain since the severe drought in March 2017.
<a href="https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/south-africa/sa-receives-first-shipment-of-imported-white-maize-since-2017/">MoneyWeb</a> reports that the current imports are necessary due to poor crop yields and record-high grain exports to Zimbabwe in 2024.
André van der Vyver, executive director of the South African Cereals and Oilseeds Trade Association (SACOTA), said the African Baza, a bulk carrier sailing under the Bahamas flag, is currently offloading 23,700 tons of white maize from the US.
Another vessel carrying 46,000 tonnes of white maize is expected in February.
In the 2023/24 production year, grain and oilseed crops suffered significantly, with maize production declining by approximately 22.5% and soybeans by 33.5% compared to the previous year.
The Crop Estimates Committee, in November 2024, estimated white maize production at just over six million tonnes, a 29.3% decrease from the previous year. Yellow maize production was estimated at 6.716 million tonnes, down 15.4%. Said Van der Vyver:
<blockquote>
In the South African seasonal crop cycle, these products should last until approximately March/April 2025 before the new crop [planted in November and December 2024)] will become available again.
</blockquote>
However, as early as February 2024 it became evident that South Africa would have to import yellow maize and possibly white maize and soybeans. Said Van der Vyver:
<blockquote>
South Africa had just enough grains to feed itself, but we also supply grain to countries in the SACU [Southern African Customs Union] region.
We did not fully anticipate that the drought would also affect crop production in these countries, and we saw a strong demand from particularly Zimbabwe for white and yellow maize…
Yellow maize and soybean meal imports continued throughout the latter part of last year.
To date, SACOTA’s multi-national grain trading members have imported approximately 518,000 tonnes of yellow maize.
</blockquote>
According to Van der Vyver, maize imports are expected to continue until the end of April. The new production season began with good and continuous rain shortly before Christmas, and most planting has already been completed.
South Africans consume approximately 11.7 million tonnes of maize per year. On average, about 1.5 million tonnes of maize have been exported annually to other African countries over the past five years.
Van der Vyver noted that white maize remains a staple food for many South Africans, while yellow maize and soybeans are primarily used in the broiler industry.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

South Africa is bringing in lots of maize because the crops didn't do well, and they're sending a lot to Zimbabwe. A ship from the US is bringing 23,700 tons of maize, and another ship with 46,000 tons is coming in February. The production of maize and soybeans went down a lot in 2023/24. South Africa usually has enough maize for itself and its neighbors, but this time they needed more. They've already imported 518,000 tonnes of yellow maize. They'll keep bringing in maize until April. South Africans eat a lot of maize, and it's important for feeding chickens too.

Zimbabwe's "Record-High" Maize Imports Strain South Africa's Drought-Hit Supplies

The amount of maize in the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) silos has dropped significantly, raising concerns about food security in Zimbabwe, <a href="https://cite.org.zw/sharp-decline-in-gmb-maize-stocks-raises-food-security-fears/">reported CITE</a>.
A recent report by the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development states that Zimbabwe’s food security is worsening due to maize shortages and agricultural instability, worsened by a drought caused by El Niño.
The government’s heavy reliance on the private sector for maize supplies, intended to diversify the supply chain, has led to a decrease in available maize.
The committee also reported that Silo Foods Industries, a major food processor in Zimbabwe, is facing serious maize shortages because the GMB is not meeting its supply targets.
In December 2023, Silo received only 1,934 metric tonnes of maize from the GMB, far below its monthly target of 8,000 metric tonnes. Said the committee:
<blockquote>
The statistics presented highlighted the severity of the situation, with Silo Food Industries receiving only 1 934 metric tonnes of maize from the GMB in December 2023, 3 460 metric tonnes in January 2024, and 1 267 metric tonnes in February 2024, against a target of 8 000 metric tonnes per month.
This resulted in a significant shortfall of 3 339 metric tonnes (42 per cent of the target) which underscored the urgent need for action to address the food shortages and prevent the situation from worsening.
</blockquote>
The committee pointed out that the private sector, especially millers and large traders, has been hesitant to sell their maize to the GMB, which is in charge of managing the country’s emergency grain supply. Says the report:
<blockquote>
The private sector is not selling maize to the GMB, creating a significant gap in the maize supply chain. This over-reliance on private suppliers, especially in the midst of an El Niño-induced drought, has left the government struggling to maintain adequate food reserves.
</blockquote>
The committee also said that the government has not been able to track the maize stocks held by private traders, which could have helped in coordinating efforts and responding more quickly to the food security problem.
The inquiry also revealed that “land tenure security and the dispersed nature of smallholder farms, which hindered agricultural production and investment, contributed to a 71 per cent shortfall in maize supply compared to the target.”
Farmers have faced financial struggles because the GMB has been slow to make payments, sometimes taking months to process them.
The committee said selling to the GMB has become too complicated due to issues like red tape, unclear rules, and logistical challenges.
They also pointed out that allowing the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) to play a bigger role in the maize supply chain has led to less maize being available for the GMB, making the food security problem worse.
Additionally, the committee expressed concerns about GMAZ importing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for human consumption.
The committee has called for a complete review of the government’s agricultural policies, suggesting improvements in the GMB’s operations, better coordination with private traders, and better irrigation systems.
To prepare the report, the committee held meetings with key stakeholders like the GMB, Silo Foods Industry, GMAZ, and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development.
They also visited several GMB depots in Aspindale, Norton, Chegutu, Lion’s Den, Banket, and Chinhoyi.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The amount of maize in Zimbabwe's grain silos is low, causing concerns about food security. The shortage is worsened by a drought. The government relies heavily on the private sector for maize, but this has led to a decrease in available maize. Major food processors, like Silo Foods Industries, are facing shortages because the government is not supplying enough maize. The private sector is not selling maize to the government, making the situation worse. The government needs to review its policies and improve coordination with private traders to address the food security problem.

Sharp Decline In Maize Supplies at GMB Raises Alarm

The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has sent a 20-member delegation to Sao Paulo, Brazil to negotiate the delivery of approximately 400,000 metric tonnes of yellow and white maize.
GMAZ Chairperson Tafadzwa Musarara told <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zimbabwean-millers-in-negotiations-with-brazilian-partners-for-supply-of-400000-metric-tonnes-of-yellow-white-maize/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> that maize imports from Brazil will augment local produce and imports from South Africa.
The delivery of the maize is expected to start in July if the discussions are fruitful. Said Musarara:
<blockquote>
This maize will complement our current supplies from local farmers and ongoing imports from South Africa.
We are aiming to procure and secure a circa 400,000 metric tonnes supply arrangement covering September 2024 to August 2025.
We are here to negotiate and conclude supplies to arrive in Zimbabwe starting at the end of July 2024.
</blockquote>
During the 2023/24 summer cropping season, Zimbabwe recorded its worst harvest in four decades, consequentially putting millions at risk of hunger.
This has been attributed to El Nino, a weather event that often causes sporadic rainfall and scorching heat which has a debilitating impact on Zimbabwe’s largely rainfed agriculture.
Zimbabwe was the third country in Africa to declare this year’s drought a national disaster, following Malawi and Zambia.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwean Grain Millers In Brazil To Source Maize

More than half of Zimbabwe’s population will need food aid this year after an El Nino-induced drought decimated crops and livestock during the 2023/24 summer cropping season.
This is based on the Second Round of Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment of April 18, 2024, and the Rapid Village-based Food Assessment concluded on April 15, 2024.
In a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, 14 May, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said that six million people in rural areas will require assistance between May 2024 and March 2025. He said (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200026928/crisis-as-half-of-zim-needs-food-aid">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee Report (ZimLAC) indicated that 1,7 million people who reside in urban areas will require assistance.
A total of 7,7 million people, being 51% of the population, will require food assistance. This excludes a further 4,5 million who will require school meals.
</blockquote>
Muswere also said the grain stock at the Grain Marketing Board as of May 9, 2024, stood at 423 779 tonnes.
He added that the private sector is expected to import all its stock feed requirements of 400 000 tonnes, and urban maize requirements of up to 450 000 tonnes by March 2025.
Muswere said the ZimLAC 2024 Urban Livelihoods and Nutrition Assessment revealed that 65% of urban households were food secure, while 35% were food insecure.
The proportion of food-insecure urban households translates to 1,732,770 people.
Speaking during yesterday’s post-Cabinet, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Anxious Masuka said that the 2023/24 Summer Crop Marketing, Food Security Outlook to March 2025 indicated that close to 8 million people would need food aid, which represents more than half of the population.
According to the 2022 census conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency (ZIMSTAT), Zimbabwe’s population was 15 178,979.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

More Than Half Of Zimbabwean Population In Need Of Food Aid

Zimbabwe’s maize output from the 2023/24 summer cropping season will drop by almost three-quarters this year as the nation experiences its worst drought in 40 years.
According to the Government’s Second Round of Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Assessment report, maize output from the current season that ends 31 May 2024 is estimated at 634,699 tonnes, down 72% from last year.
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, had previously forecasted 868 237 tonnes.
According to the report, of 60 rural districts, only Goromonzi and Makonde have grown enough food for 12 months. Reads the report:
<blockquote>
Statistically, the season had the latest and driest start to a summer season in 40 years.
</blockquote>
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GNDihQWWAAEIvJu?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/>
Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia have all declared states of national disaster because of crop failures caused by a severe drought attributed to the El Niño weather phenomenon.
The prolonged dry spell in southern Africa also slashed South Africa’s maize crop by at least a fifth.
Zimbabwe consumes 2.2 million tonnes of maize annually, with 1.8 million tonnes used for food and 400,000 tonnes used for livestock feed.
The Grain Millers Association recently announced plans to import at least 1.4 million tonnes of maize by July to address the shortfall.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Suffers Worst Drought In 40 Years, Maize Yield Falls By 72%

Two security guards allegedly shot and killed a man at Baguta Farm Compound in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West Province on Saturday, 20 April, police have said.
The man was shot dead when the two guards were trying to disperse a crowd that had gathered in an attempt to scrounge for leftover maize cobs in the fields at the farm.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the now deceased had charged at the guards, armed with a knife when he was shot dead. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The ZRP confirms a shooting incident in which two security guards, Luckmore Mhiti (30) and Evans Jakarasi (33) shot dead a yet-to-be-identified man at Baguta Farm Compound, Chinhoyi on 20/04/24.
The victim had tried to attack the security guards with a knife after the security guards had fired warning shots to disperse a crowd which had gathered at the farm to pick leftover maize cobs in the fields.
The security guards were hired by the farm owner to provide security at the farm since he was harvesting maize using a combine harvester.
</blockquote>
According to a report, Zimbabwe’s maize harvest is expected to halve to 1.1 million tonnes in 2024 due to an El Niño-induced drought and this poses a huge grain deficit and threatens food security for poor households in the country.
The annual maize consumption requirement for human consumption in Zimbabwe is approximately 1.8 million tonnes, not counting animal feed.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Man Shot Dead At A Farm During Stampede For Leftover Maize Cobs

The Zimbabwean Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development has reported that this year’s maize harvest will be 70% smaller than the previous season due to severe drought damage.
As per the Ministry’s outlook report, Zimbabwe’s maize production is projected to reach approximately 696,116 tonnes, a significant decline from the estimated 2.3 million tonnes for 2023.
 <a href="https://newzwire.live/report-zimbabwe-expects-maize-harvest-to-fall-70-to-lowest-levels-in-nearly-a-decade/">newZWire</a> highlights that this year’s harvest would be the smallest since 2016 when Zimbabwe managed to produce only 512,000 tonnes of maize.
An earlier report by the government last week said maize hectarage fell by 12% this season as farmers planted less. Said the Lands Ministry:
<blockquote>
The Government should aim to close the gap of 318,723 tonnes while the private sector can import as much as they want.
Combining maize, traditional grains and wheat, the strategic grain reserve is 434,293 tonnes excluding the Russia donation to the President of 25,000 tonnes.
</blockquote>
In 2023, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East produced the most maize. This year, farmers in these two traditionally strong farm provinces were hit by low rainfall. The assessment says the Midlands will have the biggest harvest.
Mash West is projected to produce 290,005 tonnes, down from 523,023 last year. Mash East’s harvest is expected at 225,675 tonnes, from 415,574 tonnes last year.
Midlands will produce 381,056 tonnes, compared to 414,249 tonnes in 2023. The projection for Mashonaland Central is 207,966 tonnes from 342,249 tonnes.
Among the hardest hit provinces is Mat North, where the area planted under maize fell by 30%; the province will produce 95,726 tonnes this year after it performed better than expected last year with 82,739 tonnes.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe’s Maize Harvest To Plummet 70% In Nearly A Decade

The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka, said that the private sector must continue to import maize for human consumption, including importing genetically modified maize but under strict supervision.
Speaking during Tuesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Masuka said the food security outlook is made of four components which are: what is in stock, what is likely to be produced in the current season, what is likely to be produced in winter and what is likely to be imported.
He said Zimbabwe allows GMOs to be imported because the country has a very strict framework. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
This is what we deliberated; we said the private sector must continue to import maize for human consumption, we said if they wish to import genetically modified maize they can do so but that must be under strict supervision.
Zimbabwe was one of the first countries in the SADC region to put in place a GMO (genetically modified organism) policy in 1998 and formed the National Biotechnology Authority, and Zimbabwe allows GMOs to be imported because we have a very strict framework. Perhaps because of the strictness, very few private companies have come on board to do some experiments on GMOs.
In the past, we have applied this model very successfully. It is genetically modified maize not GMO maize.
We said that our food security ought also to be premised on consideration of wheat as a cereal crop, either for direct consumption by people as bread or as a mealie meal or for swap arrangement.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the Government has liberalised the importation of grain at the household level with effect from July.
Duty will be waived on the importation of rice, maize, potato seed, cooking oil and genetically modified maize for stock feed, whose milling and distribution will be strictly supervised.
Cabinet also approved the removal of Value Added Tax on rice and potato seed since the two foods are now considered staples.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Agriculture Minister Speaks On Genetically Modified Maize Imports

The bulk of the 2023/2024 maize crop is a complete write-off following below-average rainfall for much of the rainy season, agriculture sector officials have revealed.
Prince Kuipa, field operations director at the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) told the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/theindependent/local-news/article/200023786/maize-crop-a-total-write-off">Zimbabwe Independent</a> that the bulk of the crop across the country is moisture-stressed. Said Kuipa:
<blockquote>
Information coming from our farmers shows that most of the grain has been affected and farmers are considering the maize crop as a write-off.
It is a disaster year. The crop is moisture-stressed. Maybe the government is going to announce a disaster situation so they can mobilise grain and arrange donor funding.
Without anything coming from farms, the government should kick in by importing grain. The private sector can also play its role to make sure that no one dies of hunger.
</blockquote>
The chief executive officer at the State-run Agriculture Rural Development Authority (ARDA) said its crops have also been affected by the drought. He said:
<blockquote>
The 2023/2024 agricultural season has been characterised by below-average rainfall brought about by El Nino.
This has not spared cropping programmes managed by ARDA.
However, we have put in place mitigatory measures to counter the effects and salvage our crop.
</blockquote>
Reports indicate that large swathes of maize crops had wilted and most of the affected crop would not recover even if rains returned as it had reached the permanent wilting point.
In Mashonaland West Province, some farmers had by last week freed livestock to feed on the wilting maize crop, according to some reports.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Maize Crop A Total Write-off - Farmers

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) says the country has only four months’ supply of grain left in reserve.
GMB acting operations director, Clemence Guta, told parliamentarians this week that the current quantity of grain stocks held in the reserves was 156 681 metric tonnes (mt) of maize, 45 959mt of traditional grains and 247 578mt of wheat. Said Guta, as quoted by <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/grain-stocks-deplete-gmb-left-with-four-months-supply/">Business Times</a>:
<blockquote>
An estimate of the projected grain requirements for the year 2024 and the anticipated consumption levels by various sectors such as food processing industries, livestock feed and human consumption national requirement for maize and traditional grains is 2 200 000mt for both humans and livestock, milling industry 45 000mt per month and livestock feed 30 000mt per month.
The available maize and traditional grains at GMB are primarily targeted to benefit the vulnerable households under social welfare.
As for grain stocks, we are left with approximately four months’ supply. The GMB will import to augment the available stocks targeting vulnerable households.
</blockquote>
He said private players have imported more than 300 000mt of maize and 136 000mt of wheat over the past ten months. Said Guta:
<blockquote>
Grain processors have also been allowed to import grain for processing such that a total of 310 000mt of maize and 136 000mt of wheat were imported into the country from 1 April 2023 to date.
GMB only managed to sell the following quantities of grain to processors during the period 1 April 2023 to date: 155 000mt maize, traditional grains 10 800mt and 32 500mt of wheat.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances affecting grain production such as adverse weather conditions or crop diseases, contingency measures are in place to mitigate any potential shortages and ensure food security.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a prolonged drought which has been attributed to El Nino.
The 2023/24 summer cropping season has been poor due to late and erratic rains coupled with an acute shortage of fertiliser in the country.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Left With Four Month Supply Of Grain

The Government says the country has enough maize in stock amid fears of a shortage of the staple due to the El Nino-induced drought.
Parts of the southern African region including Zimbabwe are expected to receive normal to below-normal rains during the 2023/24 summer rainfall season which will likely negatively affect food supplies.
Speaking during a tour of the National Foods Holdings Limited facilities in Harare on Tuesday, 09 January, Lands and Agriculture Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos said the country has adequate grain in stock. He said (<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200021882/zim-has-enough-maize-govt">via NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
As a nation, we have adequate stocks at the Grain Marketing Board. Monthly we consume about 70 000-75 000 tonnes of maize.
… National Foods purchased a pasta plant from Italy that produces two tonnes of pasta per hour.
It has increased the availability of commodities.
</blockquote>
National Foods chief executive officer, Mike Lashbook said:
<blockquote>
As a group, the volume (of mealie-meal) is about 50 000 tonnes per month, depending on the year; it is between 500 000 and 600 000 per product.
The first and biggest on our portfolio is stock feeds, the second biggest is flour and the third biggest is mealie-meal, although it depends on the season.
</blockquote>
In September 2023, the Government granted private companies the green light to import maize without paying duty to ensure an adequate supply of food in the country.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Has Enough Maize In Stock - Haritatos

The Government says the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has in stock a total of 235 095 tonnes of grain, enough to last 10 months.
In a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere said that as of 10 December 2023, GMB had in stock a total of 235 095 tonnes of grain, comprising 188 353 tonnes of maize and 46 742 tonnes of traditional grains. He said:
<blockquote>
At the prevailing monthly consumption rate of 23 000 tonnes per month, the available grain will last 10.2 months.
</blockquote>
Muswere said the country’s current wheat stocks stand at 242 508 tonnes sufficient to provide 11.5 months of cover.
He said GMB has a 46.8 per cent market share of maize, 7.3 per cent of soya bean, 41.3 per cent of sunflower, wheat 46 per cent, and 63.6 per cent of traditional grains, translating to 39.4 per cent share of the total marketed crop.
Muswere said 227.5 million kilogrammes of tobacco worth US$1.196 billion have been exported at an average price of US$526 per kg.
Last year, 182 million kilogrammes worth US$880.677 million were exported at US$4.83 per kg.
He said more than 85 295 tonnes of graded cotton have been delivered across the nation as of 06 December compared to 55 927 tonnes at the same time in 2022.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

GMB Grain Stock Enough To Last 10 Months - Govt

Zimbabwe is set to begin maize exports after the country’s agricultural sector posted two successive record harvests resulting in a surplus.
In 2020–21, Zimbabwe recorded a maize harvest of 2.8 million tonnes, and the 2021–22 figure was 2.2 million tonnes.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka revealed that the country could start to export maize to countries such as DRC. He said:
<blockquote>
We have received a request from the Democratic Republic of Congo for exports of maize and, cumulatively, we have received requests for 350 000 metric tonnes.
</blockquote>
However, humanitarian organisations say proper stock assessments to feed citizens should be done and warned that millions of Zimbabweans could need food aid.
Mcedisi Ndlovu, a communal farmer from Hwange District in Matabeleland North Province told <a href="https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-07-30-zimbabwe-plans-export-of-surplus-maize-as-many-locals-struggle-to-put-food-on-table/">Daily Maverick</a> that, despite reports of a bumper harvest and grain surplus, most families did not harvest enough maize to feed their families. He said:
<blockquote>
We are perennially a dry region and for the government to suggest that it wants to export maize without providing us with enough grain is very mischievous.
We do not have enough maize stocks to feed our children until the next harvesting season in April next year.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, aid agencies such as the UN World Food Programme (WFP) say millions of Zimbabweans might need food aid before the next harvest.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Plans To Export "Surplus" Maize

The government says the country has sufficient maize and small grains stocks that are expected to last until next season.
In a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said the current stock stands at 204 084 metric tonnes of maize and 41 464 metric tonnes (mt) of traditional grains. She said:
<blockquote>
Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that as at 9 July, 2023, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) had in stock a total of 204 084 mt of maize and 41 464 mt of traditional grains.
Millers and stock-feed manufacturers are being allocated 27 000 mt, SILO Foods 16 000 mt per month, and an additional 10 000 mt will be sold to Rwanda.
</blockquote>
Regarding wheat, Mutsvangwa said the country’s current stocks stood at 140 029 mt, which is sufficient to provide eight months’ cover, as the monthly allocation stands at 21 000 mt. She said:
<blockquote>
Cabinet wishes to highlight that 69.8 percent of the country’s wheat is being produced by A1 farmers. The nation is informed that a record 86 466 hectares have been put under wheat compared to 80 882 hectares last year.
The area planted is 14.5 percent above the initial target of 85 000 hectares, and 96 percent of the revised target of 90 000 hectares.
The bulk of the planted wheat or 69.8 percent is by resettled farmers (A1 and A2), while the communal farmers contributed 6.95 percent.
The bulk of the planted wheat is now at the vegetative stage and is in good condition. Quelea bird control activities are underway, including the aerial spraying of nesting points using drones. The required pesticides are also readily available.
</blockquote>
Mutsvangwa also said Cabinet deliberated at length on the importance of paying farmers on time for the delivery of all crops.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Has Sufficient Grain Reserves - Govt

The Government of Zimbabwe has donated 4 400 metric tonnes of maize grain to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to meet the food needs of refugees living at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Simon Masanga said:
<blockquote>
We have international obligations so we have agreed at the international level to host refugees in this country.
As the President said, no one should ever die of hunger in this country, it also includes 16 000 refugees at Tongogara.
I want to put it on record that the government remains committed to improving the welfare of refugees at Tongogara.
</blockquote>
According to <a href="https://zbcnews.co.zw/2023/06/19/govt-donates-maize-to-world-food-programme/">ZBC News</a>, the partnership, WFP will cover the costs of transport, storage, handling, milling and fortification of the maize.
The WFP Representative and Country Director in Zimbabwe, Francesca Erdelmann said:
<blockquote>
We are together to formalise the government’s donation to the United Nations World Food Programme of 4 400 Metric tonnes of maize grain for refugees living in Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge.
WFP thanks the Government of Zimbabwe for this contribution which offers an important lifeline to this vulnerable population.
Around the world, refugees are living further away from home, more than ever before, so we are heartened to see that countries like Zimbabwe are putting forward solutions and working to ensure that refugees have a better life.
Thanks to the maize contribution from the Government of Zimbabwe, refugees will receive monthly transfers of micronutrient-fortified maize meal complemented with cash, aiming to meet their daily nutrition requirements.
The in-kind maize contribution will be twinned with WFP funds to cover the cost of transport, storage, handling, milling and distribution.
The first batch of some 2 170 MTs will be uplifted in the upcoming weeks.
</blockquote>
Tongogara Refugee Camp was established in 1984. It was named after <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Josiah_Tongogara">Josiah Tongogara</a>, a former commander of the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army who died shortly before Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980.
The camp was initially set up to accommodate refugees fleeing the civil war in Mozambique, but it has since also taken in refugees from other countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Somalia.
At its peak in the mid-2000s, the camp was home to over 20,000 refugees, but the numbers have since decreased due to repatriation, resettlement, and voluntary return programs.
The camp is managed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in partnership with the government of Zimbabwe and various humanitarian organizations.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Donates Maize To World Food Programme

The Government on Friday announced producer prices for strategic crops such as maize, traditional grains, soya bean, and sunflower.
The Grain Market Board (GMB) will only purchase strategic commodities financed under the Presidential Input Programme as well as by self-financed farmers.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka, at a media briefing in Harare.
GMB will pay a floor producer price of US$335 per metric tonne for maize and traditional grains.
For soya beans and sunflowers, GMB will pay US$580 and US$696, per tonne respectively.
The prices will be partly paid in foreign currency and the remainder in Zimbabwe dollars at the prevailing interbank rate.
The Government has also set a pre-planting producer price of US$520 per metric tonne of wheat. Said Masuka:
<blockquote>
A floor producer price of US$335 per metric tonne of maize and traditional grains is paid to farmers by GMB as US$200 in foreign currency plus US$135 in local currency.
US$580 per metric tonne for soya beans paid as US$348 in foreign currency and US$232 in local at the interbank rate.
</blockquote>
The Government has also liberalised the marketing of grain with all contractors allowed to buy back contracted crops.
Self-financed farmers will also sell their produce in the market or to the Grain Marketing Board.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Announces Producer Prices For Grains, Soya Beans

The Zimbabwean Embassy in Senegal has been given 20 hectares of arable land for the production of white maize in the west African country.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Senegal, James Maridadi said he decided to experiment on the production of white maize after realising that the west African country focused on growing yellow maize for stock feed.
He said he was initially working on a five-hectare piece of land in Dakar, Senegal, which has largely been successful. Said Maridadi:
<blockquote>
What happened is that when I initially came here, I realised that they don’t do white maize in this region, they do yellow maize, which is mostly for stock feed and they import about US$160 million worth of white maize to subsidize their consumption.
I then approached the Ministry of Agriculture in Senegal, where I got five hectares of land to do an experiment on white maize production.
I got seed from Zimbabwe, bought fertilizer here in Senegal, and did the five hectares and the results were amazing.
I did a field day where I invited about 200 commercial farmers and 500 subsistence farmers to come and it was a huge day because the government of Senegal also came to participate and 11 other ambassadors from other nations in the African continent.
What has happened now is that the government of Senegal has allocated more land, about 20 hectares of land, so this year I am going full force in this experiment of ours. I will use the SC719 variety being done by SeedCo.
</blockquote>
Maridadi, a former ZBC presenter and MDC MP, said African countries should wean themselves off relying on Europe to feed their people. He said:
<blockquote>
In Africa, I believe we have to eat what we produce and produce what we eat therefore we cannot have a situation where African countries import food from Europe, look how many countries have been affected by their inability now to import from Ukraine.
What we want is that when we introduce the white maize seed variety from Zimbabwe which works here, SeedCo, for example, can then sell intellectual rights to Senegal and Senegal can start manufacturing those seeds under license from Zimbabwe thereby earning foreign currency for the country, that is what we call economic diplomacy.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/zimbabwe-embassy-gets-land-from-senegal/?_ga=2.78553372.902637503.1674878318-1476354146.1643948410">The Sunday News</a>

Zimbabwe Embassy Gets Land In Senegal To Grow White Maize

Farmers in Zimbabwe say they are experiencing an acute shortage of fertilizer, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200006263/farmers-hit-by-an-fertiliser-shortage">NewsDay</a> reports.
One Bulilima farmer told the publication:
<blockquote>
“We risk experiencing acute food shortages due to inadequate fertilisers. Government should urgently import fertilisers to avert the disaster. If no measures are put in place, farmers risk producing poor yields,”
</blockquote>
Another farmer in from Chirumanzu said:
<blockquote>
“The crops are at wilting stage. We are appealing to government to provide us with AN fertiliser as soon as possible. We only received 43% of AN, of which it’s not enough.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Farmers Union commented on the issue: 
<blockquote>
There has been a shortage of AN fertiliser in the market, and this is mainly due to the supply and geopolitical issues happening in Eastern Europe. The prices are also out of reach because there is more demand. Farmers are failing to access fertiliser, but alternatively we are urging them to use urea fertiliser to avoid the disaster.
Farmers must also use organic fertilisers. With the current crisis, farmers must take this opportunity to use other alternatives which helps to recondition the soil and improve its fertility. Every season we have challenges with AN fertiliser and there is demand during this time. So farmers should learn to use other alternatives rather than wait for the key fertilisers.
</blockquote>
Lands and Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka commented:
<blockquote>
 “Government is expecting 80 000 metric tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate. We have so far received 43 000 metric tonnes and we are hurrying the importation of AN. We are also activating the local supply, and so I expect that there will be an accelerated delivery of AN here in four or five days of the additional AN that is required.” 
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is in the middle of its maize agriculture season and the crop typically requires Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer during this time. Maize is the staple of the country and is farmed by the majority of the farmers.

AN Fertiliser Shortage Hits Zimbabwe

The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has said it has paid ZWL$6.56 billion and US$10.5 million for grain deliveries made by farmers.
GMB chief executive Rockie Mutenha told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/gmb-pays-6bn-us11m-to-farmers/">The Herald</a> that nearly 128 000 tonnes of maize have been delivered, but more farmers were still delivering. He said:
<blockquote>
More farmers are coming to deliver their maize at our depots and we have also been making timeous payments to them.
As of September 6, we had received 127 835 tonnes of maize from farmers.
In terms of payments so far we have paid farmers an amount of $6.56 billion and US$10.5 million.
</blockquote>
Mutenha also said farmers have so far delivered 24 026 tonnes of traditional grains to GMB.
He, however, urged farmers to work together with GMB officers stationed at each depot to improve moisture content as some maize was being delivered with a lot of moisture.
GMB is paying ZWL$100 000 plus US$90 for a tonne of maize.

GMB Says It Has Paid ZWL$6 Billion, US$11 Million To Farmers

Maize farmers have welcomed a 30 per cent bonus offered by the Government to incentivise those who deliver their grain to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) before the end of July.
Indigenous Commercial Farmers Union president Mayiwepi Jiti said the move was a noble one as farmers will no longer sell their maize on the parallel market where they risk being duped by unscrupulous dealers. She said:
<blockquote>It is a very good move, considering that $12 329 is now equivalent to US$176, which is way below the parallel market price of maize.
Farmers are selling on the parallel market where they risk being duped by unscrupulous dealers. Now that GMB is offering a higher price, more grain will go to the GMB.
The GMB is now offering a fair price that will be attractive to most farmers.</blockquote>
Cabinet recently approved a 30 per cent incentive on the floor producer price for maize and traditional grains for deliveries made between April 1 and July 31, 2020.
The 30 per cent bonus means that farmers will now be getting a producer price of $16 028 per tonne of maize delivered while the price for the traditional grains will now be $16 725 per tonne.
The price of maize and small grains was initially set at $12 327 and $12 865 per tonne, respectively.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/bonus-for-early-maize-delivery/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Maize Farmers Welcome 30 Percent Bonus

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands after two men from Ruwa were arrested after they fatally assaulted a man who had allegedly stolen their maize.
In a statement, police said that the now deceased and Talkmore Kwaini, who is admitted at a local hospital, were assaulted by the suspects on Sunday at Mandley Park Ruwa. The statement reads:
<blockquote>Police in Epworth has arrested 2 men in connection with a case of murder which occurred at Mandley Park Ruwa on 17/05/20.
The suspects carried out severe instant justice on the victim who had stolen their 6 bags of maize together with Talkmore Kwaini who is still admitted at Chitungwiza hospital.
The victim sustained bruises all over the body, a deep cut on the leg and he died upon being taken to the Epworth police station by a well-wisher.
Members of the public are warned against taking the law into their own hands.</blockquote>
In another incident, criminals waylaid a Harare man and struck him with an iron bar on the head along Leopold Takawira Road.
The man later regained consciousness and was taken to the hospital where he was treated and discharged. He, however, passed away after his condition had deteriorated. Police said in a statement:
<blockquote>A Harare man was struck with an iron bar on the head and lost consciousness along Leopold Takawira Way on 16/05/20 at around 1900 hours. An unknown suspect searched him and stole his belongings.
He later gained consciousness and was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital, where he was treated and discharged but did not report the matter to the Police. His condition deteriorated during the night and he later died.
Police are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the culprits.</blockquote>

Ruwa 'Thief' Fatally Assaulted Over 6 Bags Of Maize

27 thousand tonnes of relief maize meant for Zimbabwe has just arrived in Maputo and the government is making efforts to make sure the maize reaches Zimbabwe as soon as possible, The Chronicle reports.
This was confirmed by National Railways of Zimbabwe spokesperson Mr Nyasha Maravanyika who said:
<blockquote>As we speak there is a ship that will dock this afternoon (yesterday) in Maputo and the maize will be delivered into the country soon.
From the 15 000 tonnes that is in Maputo we have railed 8 369 tonnes leaving a balance of 6 631. We have 57 wagons that have arrived in Bulawayo, another 29 at Chicualacuala, 65 are at Rutenga while nine are at Dabuka.</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is experiencing a dire mealie meal shortage that has left the country <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/02/04/watch-zimbabweans-fight-over-a-bag-of-mealie-meal/">queuing for a 10kg bag of mealie meal at supermarkets. </a>
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/more-relief-maize-arrives-in-maputo/">The Chronicle </a>

27000 Tonnes Of Relief Maize For Zimbabwe Arrives In Maputo

The president on Friday while addressing the Matabeleland Civil Society Meeting said Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had offered him maize and he had already deployed a delegation to work on the modalities and the procurement of the said maize Sunday Mail reports.
Said the President:
<blockquote>Fortunately, three or four days ago when we were in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) I was sitting with other Heads of State and President Museveni of Uganda said to me, ‘President Mnangagwa, I understand you need maize in Zimbabwe, I have plenty of it, come and collect’. So, I stood up from where I was sitting and went to him and he told me he had surplus maize. Yesterday (Thursday) I sent Minister Shiri to arrange the procurement of grain from Uganda</blockquote>
The president also said the country has survived 2 consecutive droughts because of the massive reserves that were accumulated before the drought.
8 million people face food insecurity in Zimbabwe due to the 2019 drought that left over 45000 cattle dead in Masvingo, Midlands and Matabeleland.
More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/zimbabwe-secures-maize-from-uganda">The Sunday Mail</a>

Museveni Said We Should Come And Collect Maize In Uganda - ED

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) is to transport 7,000 tonnes of maize from Tanzania to Zimbabwe.
In an emailed response to questions sent by Bloomberg, Tazara Managing Director Bruno Ching’andu also revealed that in September, Tanzania sold 17,000 tonnes of maize to Zimbabwe, with the shipment done ahead of schedule. He said:
<blockquote>The next batch of 83,000 tons is still in discussion, however, we have in the meantime received an order to move 7,000 tonnes.
… the exercise, which was meant to take three months, took just over two months to complete.</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is currently in the throes of a severe famine due to drought and misuse of billions of dollars meant for a government-funded programme, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Command_Agriculture_2016" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Command Agriculture</a>.
Meanwhile, the country has an 800 000 tonnes deficit of maize, with the United Nations World Food Programme estimating that half of Zimbabwe’s population requires food aid.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-12-17/tazara-to-ship-7-000-tons-of-tanzanian-corn-to-zimbabwe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a></h4>

7 000 Tonnes Of Maize To Be Shipped From Tanzania

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Perrance_Shiri" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Perrance Shiri</a> said Zambia has offered a deal to supply Zimbabwe with maize annually.
Shiri made the remarks while speaking during the launch of the traditional seeds input programme at Marymount in Rushinga District last week. He said:
<blockquote>Zambia said we should sign an agreement with them for them to produce maize for us annually and we should not forget that we used to feed Zambia.
So it is not possible for us to be fed by other nations when we have the capacity to produce our own food.</blockquote>
Zimbabwe has an acute shortage of the staple grain and recently imported 17 000 tonnes of maize from Tanzania.
The United Nations has also launched an appeal to the international community to raise funds to provide food for roughly half of Zimbabwe’s population.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/inputs-distribution-apolitical-shiri/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Zambia Offers To Produce Maize For Zimbabwe Every Year

Zambian Vice-President Inonge Wina has called for a complete turn around on eating habits saying people should stop eating maize which is the staple food in Southern Africa and opt for more nutritious foods. The BBC equated the proposal to telling Italians not to eat Pasta.
The VP urged citizen in her country to opt for millet, sorghum, cassava, and sweet potatoes gradually and ditch the maizemeal that has been the staple food for years now. Speaking to BBC The VP said the switch will also be a low-cost way of addressing malnutrition:
<blockquote>The gradual shift from predominantly maize-based meals is good for the nation as more nutritious foods will have space at our tables. The switch to more nutritious foods is one of the low-cost and effective ways of addressing stunting and malnutrition in the country.</blockquote>
However, trying to change eating habits is a difficult task as more people across Southern Africa rely more on meals prepared by maize.  Maize is also cheap, in Southern Africa and is one of the grains mainly produced in Southern Africa.
More:<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-49714037"> BBC </a>

Why Africans Should Stop Eating Maize - Zambia's Vice President

The government said that the country has enough grain to cover the next 5 months from previous harvests, and will import maize to augment the 2018/19 harvest which is projected to be low.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Settlement Vangelis Haritatos assured the nation that no-one will starve. He said:
<blockquote>We still have in excess of five months’ maize in stock. People should take note that this is before the current 2018/2019 maize season deliveries.
The Government will not hesitate to import maize to supplement our supplies and no one will go hungry.</blockquote>
The government recently announced new producers prices for major grains and farmers expressed satisfaction with the development.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president Mr Shadreck Makombe had this to say:
<blockquote>The Government raised the producer prices, but inputs, especially the hybrid seeds, that have been currently introduced, are pegged at high prices.
This will leave farmers to grow low yield seeds which are affordable and stop us from reaching maximum production levels.</blockquote>
The prices are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Maize – RTGS$726 per tonne</li>
<li>Wheat – RTGS$1089.69 per tonne</li>
<li>Soya – RTGS$918 per tonne</li>
<li>Cotton – RTGS$1950 per tonne</li>
</ul>
<h4>Related:</h4>
<ul>
<li>
<h4><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/biti-condemns-maize-producer-price-controls/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Biti Condemns Maize Producer Price Controls</a></h4>
</li>
<li>
<h4><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/govt-sets-producer-prices-for-2018-19-season-harvest/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Govt Sets Producer Prices For 2018/19 Season Harvest</a></h4>
</li>
</ul>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/measures-to-avert-hunger-set-in-motion" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

Govt To Import Maize To Prevent Starvation - Vangelis Haritatos

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister, Vangelis Haritatos has revealed that the country has half a million tonnes of maize in its strategic grain reserves.
He said that there is no immediate threat of hunger as the grain is enough to feed the country for the next seven months.
In an interview with Sunday News in Bulawayo on Thursday, Haritatos said:
<blockquote>We have more than 500 000 metric tonnes of maize still in stock. Our estimates are that we have between six to seven months of food including the strategic reserves without the new crop which is expected to come in at the end of April or early May.
We consume approximately 120 000 metric tonnes of maize per month. So for now importing maize is out of the question.
For the past two seasons, Zimbabwe has not imported any major grains such as maize. The nation is comfortable since the grain we have is enough to see us through the next seven months. This means the supply of the staple diet in the country is out of danger for the next coming months.</blockquote>
<h4>Related:</h4>
<ul>
<li class="entry-title">
<h4><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/02/18/2018-19-maize-output-set-to-reach-900-000-tonnes/">2018/19 Maize Output Set To Reach 900 000 Tonnes</a></h4>
</li>
</ul>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/zim-maize-stocks-to-last-more-than-7-months/">Sunday News</a></h4>

Govt Says Zim Has Enough Maize For 7 Months

A veld fire has reportedly destroyed 120 tonnes of maize at Burnbank Farm near Mubaira. The maize had been harvested from a 40-hectare piece of land and was awaiting shelling. Farm owner, Audrey Hativagone, said that she is yet to assess the amount of maize burnt in the fields but confirmed that other fields were also affected.
 
More: <a href="http://www.zbc.co.zw/2017/07/17/veld-fires-burn-120-tonnes-of-maize-in-mubaira/">ZBC News</a>

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