The Government has disbursed an additional US$10 million to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to support payments for farmers who delivered grain during the summer season, bringing total recent payments to US$15 million, officials confirmed.

The latest release was announced by Dr. Edson Badarai during the 22nd ZANU PF Annual National People’s Conference in Mutare on Friday. He said the funding now covers approximately 80% of the total payments owed to farmers in US dollars.

“This payment is critical during this period when farmers are busy preparing for the current season,” said Dr. Badarai, noting that the financial support would help ease input procurement challenges as preparations for the 2025–2026 summer cropping season intensify.

The GMB, which serves as the buyer of last resort, continues to offer a guaranteed market for all grain at the government-set price. Although millers and private buyers are encouraged to procure grain directly from farmers, the Government has pledged to absorb all surplus grain.

Dr. Badarai also commended Agriculture Minister Dr. Anxious Masuka for his role in securing the funding through engagement with the Treasury.

The disbursement forms part of a broader national strategy aimed at accelerating Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation and ensuring food self-sufficiency. According to the Government, 21 key initiatives are being implemented to support food security and boost production during the summer season.

Meanwhile, the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services has reported that preparations for the cropping season are progressing well across most provinces.

In related developments, the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe has pledged ZIG53 million and US$66.65 million towards financing the upcoming season.

The Government has reiterated its commitment to timely payments to farmers and increased investment in agricultural infrastructure as part of its Vision 2030 economic blueprint.

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Kavango Resources has reported a significant gold discovery at its Hillside Gold Project in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, describing the find as a major milestone for its Southern Africa-focused operations.

The company confirmed that its Nightshift Prospect has been officially classified as a gold-bearing deposit, with initial data indicating high ore and gold yields per vertical metre. Kavango said the discovery supports its strategy to boost gold output through the use of modern, mechanised mining and processing techniques.

A preliminary Mineral Resource Estimate, compliant with JORC standards, has surpassed initial projections. As a result, Kavango is now evaluating the possibility of increasing capacity at its proposed processing facility at the Bills Luck Gold Mine from 200 tonnes per day to 300 tpd.

Kavango CEO Ben Turney hailed the find as a pivotal moment for the company’s expansion in Zimbabwe.

“This initial JORC resource at Nightshift validates our approach to gold development in the country. It confirms that our focus on near-surface, fast-track production is paying off,” said Turney.

He noted that exploration at Hillside began in mid-2023 with the goal of identifying deposits that could quickly support early-stage production using advanced technologies.

“Our drilling to date has covered just 15% of the known 700-metre strike and reached only 50 metres in vertical depth. Despite this limited scope, the results have already outperformed expectations, strengthening our belief in Nightshift’s broader potential,” he added.

Turney also revealed that exploration had identified gold-bearing structures more than 200 metres below surface, suggesting strong prospects for underground mining in future development phases.

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Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube outlined the government’s economic strategy during his address at the Zanu-PF annual conference held in Mutare on Friday. His speech detailed plans aimed at fostering sustained growth and prosperity.

Minister Ncube conveyed optimism about Zimbabwe’s economic prospects, forecasting a 6.6% GDP growth rate for 2025. He attributed this anticipated expansion to robust contributions from key sectors such as mining and agriculture. These industries, he explained, are expected to play a major role in boosting domestic earnings and export revenue, forming a foundation for sustainable economic progress.

“Mining and agriculture remain critical pillars for growth. Our focus is on maximising their potential to drive revenue, create jobs, and enhance value addition,” Ncube stated.

He underlined the significance of maintaining macroeconomic stability to preserve recent economic advancements. The minister reiterated the government’s pledge to reinforce the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency to ensure it serves effectively as both a reliable medium of exchange and a store of value. He also pointed out the necessity of aligning fiscal and monetary policy efforts to contain inflation and support business activity.

Additionally, Ncube highlighted the government’s dedication to expediting infrastructure development, describing it as essential for lowering business costs and enhancing service delivery to the public.

“These initiatives align with the Zanu-PF conference theme, ‘Attainment of Vision 2030 through Economic Empowerment and Value Addition,’ which seeks to maximise returns on our nation’s natural resources and human capital,” he noted.

Overall, the minister’s address underscored the administration’s ongoing emphasis on targeted investment, economic stability, and efficient use of national resources to realise the goals set out in Vision 2030.