Government distributes grain to food insecure households nationwide

GOVERNMENT continues to distribute grain to food insecure households across the country to ensure no one dies of hunger while the commencement of winter wheat harvesting is expected boost domestic food reserves and reverse the food insecurity threat occasioned by the El Nino-induced drought, which affected this year’s harvest.

Already 39 698 tonnes of grain have been distributed out of an expected 300 000 tonnes to food-insecure families across the country under the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme targeted at cushioning vulnerable citizens.

With the commencement of winter wheat harvesting on September 18 so far yielding approximately 1 737 tonnes, hopes are high that Zimbabwe will beat the drought as more grain deliveries will cushion the country from imports.

Cabinet yesterday considered the ‘Report on the 2023/2024 Summer Crops Marketing and Food Security Outlook to March 2025 and the 2024 Winter Cereals Plan’, as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka.

In a post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said focus will now shift to the purchase of local wheat while importation of grain at the current importation rate is expected to last until June 2025.

“Cabinet advises that the total food requirement to March 2025 is about 427 408,54 tonnes at 7,5kg per person and 464 608,54 tonnes at 8,5kg per person,” he said.
“Taking into consideration the possibility of increased requirements as only 6,2 million of 9,2 million people in rural areas are receiving food under social welfare, it is recommended that the 7,5kg a person per month be maintained and more people be enrolled as the need arises,” said Dr Muswere.

He said a total of 164 465 tonnes of grain and oilseeds had been sold since 20 September this year compared to 289 090 tonnes during the same period last year.
“The marginal decline in marketed maize indicates that this was largely irrigated maize whereas sorghum, soya bean and sunflower were under dryland production and suffered from the El Nino-induced drought,” said Dr Muswere.

He said surveillance of the quelea bird is ongoing in all provinces, with drone operators, vehicle-mounted sprayers and back pack sprayers readily on standby while national and provincial command centres have also been activated.

Dr Muswere said water availability and grazing areas continue to deteriorate on a daily basis particularly in regions four and five. “Out of the 1 035 wards in these regions, 959 rural wards are targeted for establishment of Ward Drought Mitigation Centres. A total of 35 rigs have been distributed to the eight rural provinces for the emergency drilling of boreholes on a roving basis,” he said.

Regarding tobacco exports, Minister Muswere said a total of 144 million kilogrammes have been exported at an average price of US$5, 28 per kg.
“Meanwhile, in preparation for the 2024/2025 cropping season, 1 252 244g of seed has been sold compared to 865 708g sold during the same time last year reflecting a 45 percent increase.

“The seed is equivalent to 208 707ha compared to 144 285ha last year. A record production is anticipated, as these seed sales are a record high for the industry,” said Dr Muswere.

Meanwhile, Dr Muswere said Government has made an assessment visit of the Midlands Province to identify suitable venues to host the 2025 Independence Celebrations as announced by President Mnangagwa in Murambinda during the 2024 Independence Celebrations.

He said a technical team of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments has already visited sites such as Nembudziya Open Space Ground, Choda and Chireya Business Centres in Gokwe North District, Machakata, Cotton Marketing Board Nemangwe/Sesame and Manoti Business Centre all in Gokwe South District and Chizungu High School, Danga/Mposi Business Centre, Chingoma High School, Mataga Growth Point Open Space and Zvomukonde High School Grounds located in Mberengwa District.

Dr Muswere said the objective of the visit was to identify an open space of not less than five hectares in size that could accommodate the National Independence Celebrations, host the Children’s Party and the Independence Musical Gala.

“The Technical Committee also recommended places of historical significance. The nation is reminded that Mtapa Hall in Gweru, Wha Wha Prison, Connemara Prison and Sikombela Detention Camp are all in the Midlands Province.

“It was at Mtapa Hall in 1964 where ZANU held its first congress and resolved to take up arms against the white settler regime,” said Dr Muswere.
He said the hosting of the celebrations in the Midlands is a continuing commitment to the mantra ‘leaving no one and no place behind’ and will see massive infrastructural development in the hosting district.