1.0 UPDATE ON THE 2023/2024 SUMMER CROPS MARKETING, FOOD SECURITY OUTLOOK TO MARCH 2025 AND 2024 WINTER CROP PRODUCTION

Cabinet considered the Report on the 2023/2024 Summer Crops Marketing, and Food Security Outlook to March 2025 and the 2024 Winter Cereals Plan, as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr. A.J. Masuka.

A total of 164 465 metric tonnes (mt) of grains and oilseeds had been marketed as at 20 September 2024, compared to 289 090 mt marketed in 2023 at the same time. The marginal decline in marketed maize indicates that this was largely irrigated maize whereas sorghum, soya bean and sunflower were under dryland production and suffered from the El Nino induced drought.