Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
GOVERNMENT has stepped up its Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy Programme in Mashonaland West Province, targeting vulnerable households during the lean season from January to March 2026, following findings that 15 percent of the province’s population is cereal insecure.
Mashonaland West Social Development Officer, Mrs Agnes Mutowo, said authorities were fully prepared to ensure no family goes hungry, based on the latest Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) survey conducted in May 2025.
ZimLAC, which coordinates multi-sectoral responses to food and nutrition challenges, assessed all rural districts to determine food security levels and required interventions.
According to the assessment, Kariba district recorded the highest cereal insecurity rate at 58 percent, followed by Hurungwe and Zvimba at 13 percent each. Mhondoro-Ngezi and Sanyati both stood at nine percent, while Chegutu and Makonde recorded eight and nine percent respectively.
Mrs Mutowo said the most affected districts were selected for immediate assistance under the lean season programme.
A total of 146 497 beneficiaries across Kariba, Hurungwe, Mhondoro-Ngezi, Sanyati and Zvimba districts are set to receive grain allocations for three months.
Kariba district, with the highest cereal insecurity, is targeting 26 373 beneficiaries. Hurungwe has the largest projected number at 49 515, followed by Zvimba with 43 934, Mhondoro-Ngezi 13 860 and Sanyati 12 995.
“The Government is ready and committed to ensuring food assistance reaches all deserving households. Enumeration of beneficiaries began in January and distribution is being rolled out in phases,” said Mrs Mutowo.
She added that Kariba district is partnering with the World Food Programme (WFP) to augment Government efforts in availing food to vulnerable communities.
In a recent update, WFP said preparations for the 2026 Lean Season Assistance programme commenced with partner engagement and training, with distributions scheduled to run until March.
“While the programme was initially planned to support 1.5 million people, current available resources will enable WFP to reach 200,000 people across four districts: Bulilima, Kariba, Mberengwa, and Mwenezi,” WFP posted on its website.
“In Kariba and Bulilima, WFP will jointly implement the LSA with the Government of Zimbabwe, utilising government-provided cereals alongside pulses and vegetable oil supplied by WFP. In Kariba, registration has been completed and distribution has already commenced.”
Beneficiaries are receiving 7.5kg of cereal and 0.6kg of cooking oil per person per household. Pulses are also part of the package, although supplies are still in transit. In the other selected districts, beneficiaries will receive 7.5kg of cereal per person for the three-month period.
Progress reports indicate that 99 130 people, representing 67 percent of the targeted population, have been enumerated to date. However, only 1,590 beneficiaries, all in Kariba, have so far received their food allocations.
In three months, Hurungwe has reached 33 843 households in enumeration, representing 68 percent of its target. Mhondoro-Ngezi district has achieved 61 percent, Sanyati 73 percent, while Zvimba stands at 47 percent.
Mrs Mutowo said the programme would continue to be closely monitored to ensure the timely and transparent distribution of food aid.
The Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy Programme is a key Government intervention designed to cushion vulnerable households during the lean season, particularly in districts affected by erratic rainfall and poor harvests.
Peter Tanyanyiwa