Zimbabwe to remain net grain importer

Zimbabwe to remain net grain importer August 31, 2017By Own Correspondent Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister, Joseph Made INTERNATIONAL research firm, BMI, has suggested that Zimbabwe will remain a net maize importer in the long term, despite a bumper harvest during the exceptional 2016/17 agricultural season.The country is expected to have produced 2,1 million tonnes …

High risk affects agriculture funding

High risk affects agriculture funding August 31, 2017By Own Correspondent The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has been advised to incentivise banks to have microfinance units that effectively service smallholder farmers in order to encourage commercial lending to the sector. By Farai Mabeza HEIGHTENED risk, coupled with the attendant high cost of funds and lack of collateral …

Slow start to rainfall season

Slow start to rainfall season August 31, 2017By Tabitha Mutenga, Features and Supplements Editor The bulk of Southern African Development Community is likely to receive normal to below-normal rainfall. THE Southern African Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-21) has forecast a slow start to this year’s summer rainfall season.With less than a month to the start of …

Government starts Runde-Tende dam feasibility study

Government starts Runde-Tende dam feasibility study August 31, 2017By Phillimon Mhlanga, Business Reporter Deputy minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Davis Marapira GOVERNMENT is conducting feasibility studies for the construction of the proposed Runde-Tende dam in southern Chivi, Masvingo, which is expected to provide year round irrigation facility to the province.Deputy minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation …

Zim steps up power import payments

Zim steps up power import payments August 31, 2017By Phillimon Mhlanga, Business Reporter ZESA has been failing o liquidate arrears to Eskom and HCB, estimated to be about $80 million and $40 million respectively, due to foreign currency shortages. THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and ZESA Holdings have agreed that between $5 million and $10 million per week …

ZETDC in $150m power line talks with Chinese firm

ZETDC in $150m power line talks with Chinese firm August 31, 2017By Phillimon Mhlanga, Business Reporter ZETDC is also involved in Zizabona project, a power transmission line that will link Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. THE Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is finalising discussions with a Chinese contractor, China CAMC Engineering Company, to invest …