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.

ALSO READ : Inter-Africa Bus Involved in Accident Near paGumbo — No Fatalities Reported

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.

Nestlé, the global food and beverage giant, has unveiled plans to eliminate 16,000 jobs worldwide as part of a major $1 billion cost-saving strategy. The restructuring has raised concerns about its potential effects on the company’s operations across Africa, where Nestlé maintains a substantial presence.

The global job cuts will affect 12,000 white-collar roles in administrative and management areas, along with 4,000 positions in manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain departments. The company says the move is aimed at simplifying its global structure, improving efficiency, and boosting long-term profitability.

Nestlé’s newly appointed CEO, Philipp Navratil, who assumed the role in September, acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming changes.

“The world is changing, and Nestlé needs to change faster. This will include making hard but necessary decisions to reduce headcount over the next two years. We will do this with respect and transparency,” Navratil said.

The company has increased its overall savings goal to CHF 3 billion by the end of 2027, with a focus on investing in high-performing categories like coffee, chocolate, and premium products.

In Africa, Nestlé operates in more than 40 countries, running 16 factories in markets such as Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The company’s operations on the continent are coordinated through two key regional hubs: Central and West Africa (CWA) and East and Southern Africa (ESAR).

Despite the global shake-up, Nestlé reported 2.7% organic growth in the Asia, Oceania, and Africa (AOA) zone for the first nine months of 2025. Strong performance in Central and West Africa was driven by steady demand for staple products such as Maggi, Milo, and Cerelac, even amid inflation and supply chain disruptions.

Nestlé’s growth underlines Africa’s expanding consumer market and its ongoing commitment to local production and distribution networks.