Drought-hit Mbire district appeals for food aid

Daniel Chigunwe Herald Correspondent

Whilst famed for its rich wildlife as well as wide strides in the growth of tourism, the Mbire community has further become a victim of grueling hunger as effects of climate change take their toll.

The Dande region, which is characterized by hot temperatures, saline soils and erratic rainfall patterns is one of Mashonaland Central province’s affected areas with low crop production translating to food insecurity challenges.

In a bid to mitigate climate change in the district, Government is currently in the process of constructing the Dande Dam, which upon its completion will aid in irrigation processes thereby bolstering agricultural activities.

Following ravages by tropical Depression Anna which hit parts of the country in 2022, Mbire farmers were heavily affected as crops were washed away by floods which prompted Government to send aid in the form of farming inputs.

However, many of the farmers fell behind the rain schedule and could not harvest much.

As this season has already been predicted to be an El-nino induced drought, communities in Mbire are already faced with hunger issues which has prompted local leaders to appeal for food aid saying the majority of households are finding it difficult to put food on the table by end of each day.

Mbire Rural District Council chairman Mr Ishmeal Chaukura said while the Pfumvudza programme has gone a long way in addressing hunger issues in the community, human and wildlife conflict has reversed the gains realised so far.

“Communities currently need food aid. The Pfumvudza programme has played a major role in Government’s effort to fight extreme poverty and hunger. Because of challenges such as human and wildlife conflict as well as climate change, communities are still food insecure.

“Food aid is critical and if not addressed on time, it might contribute to the failure of the 2023-2024 farming season as some villagers are already selling farming inputs distributed to them. Hunger is our major challenge in Mbire,” said Cllr Chaukura.

Several households are reportedly surviving from cassava-like roots popularly known as ‘manyanya’ in local language.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Mashonaland Central, Captain Christopher Magomo (Rtd) confirmed the outcry saying he has dispatched a team to assess the state of affairs in the district.

“I have received calls to that effect and have tasked my permanent secretary to engage the Department of Social Welfare. As we speak, my office has engaged the District Development Coordinators for Mbire, Mt Darwin and Rushinga to send us requirements so that we forward those to the Department of Social Welfare as our request,” said Minister Magomo.