HARARE – The Zimbabwean government has updated the nation on the COVID-19 pandemic, the cholera outbreak and the state of agriculture in the country.
According to the Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Constantino Chiwenga’s presentation to Cabinet, Zimbabwe has recorded 265 031 COVID-19 cases, 259 128 recoveries and 5 694 deaths as of 30 May, 2023.
The country has also vaccinated over 7 million people with the first dose, over 5 million with the second dose and over 2 million with the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Cabinet on Tuesday also reported that Zimbabwe has registered 1 649 suspected cholera cases, 1 528 recoveries and 11 deaths as of 28 May, 2023. The government is conducting cholera risk assessment and oral cholera vaccination in all provinces.
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Jongwe Masuka, informed the nation that the Grain Marketing Board has enough grain stocks to last for the next few months. He also said that wheat planting has increased by 41% compared to last year, and that tobacco and cotton sales are doing well.
The Minister also announced that preparations for the next summer cropping season are underway, with plans to increase maize production by 50%, soya bean production by 100% and cotton production by 30%. He also said that the government is working on improving irrigation infrastructure and providing inputs and mechanisation support to farmers.
