Roseline Mutare
The government has assured the nation that the current stock at the Grain Marketing Board is sufficient to meet the needs of rural communities until the next harvest, expected to begin in April 2025. This assurance was given during the Fifth Cabinet Press Briefing held on March 11, 2025.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka in the briefing said the current grain stock stands at 129 149 metric tonnes. The government continues to monitor volumes of imports, stocks at millers, import prices, and import sources to eliminate arbitrage opportunities.
In addition to ensuring food security, the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has taken proactive measures to combat the African Armyworm outbreak, which is the worst in 20 years.
“The Ministry has set up 214 surveillance traps in all districts now have chemicals for ‘standby reaction’ to this pest,” said Masuka
He added that, 60 trucks, one for each district, have been purchased to ensure timely response to the pest menace. The ministry has also distributed 639 809 knapsack sprayers to beneficiaries of the Presidential Input Scheme.
“The government’s efforts to ensure food security and combat the African Armyworm outbreak demonstrate its commitment to supporting rural communities and ensuring the nation’s food needs are met,” said Masuka.
