Government and millers join hands to promote food security

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

Since private players with free funds were given the green light to enhance food security, the private sector’s response through maize imports has been commended by the Government.

Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) chairperson, Dr Tafadzwa Musarara said the cooperation between the private sector and Government in funding maize and wheat production has become a template for many African countries.

“We applaud the great work done by Government since 2018 in promoting local crop production,” he said.
“GMAZ has funded, via bankable offtake agreements with Food Crop Contractors Association, more than 480 000 hectares for maize and wheat since 2019. This has provided a substantial economic multiplier effect on the economy. We have supported local suppliers of seeds, mechanisation and fertilisers, among others.

“All these efforts have mitigated against the effects of low rainfall and has put national food security in a better place. We will be increasing our source countries to about five to include Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Argentina, and America.”
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Climate and Rural Resettlement Vangelis Haritatos said private players need to be commended for coming in to support Government.

“It really shows that the Government and private sector are working very well together, we are all Zimbabweans and we all need to be a solution to our challenges,” he said.

“The El Nino was not induced by the Government, although some people might think that so. We need to make sure that we push together as Zimbabweans, hence GMAZ’s move.

“The organisation has already mentioned that it has imported 425 000 metric tonnes of maize so we want to ensure availability and affordability of mealie meal to the consumers,” said Minister Haritatos.