dyton mupawaenda
Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
The Government has strengthened grain support modality measures to ensure that all households are food secure until the next harvest.
The measures include procurement of grain from districts with excess production and distributing it to districts with a shortage and implementation of the Government-promoted conservation farming practices (Pfumvudza/Intwasa).
The Government is committed to ensuring that the nation sustains the national food security status because of its progressive and practical interventions.
In this regard no one and no place will be left food-insecure.
A recent cereal outlook provided by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development indicated the 2023/24 lean season assistance by the Government and partners is expected to start this month.
The ministry is also intensifying climate-proofing interventions across all farmer categories, emphasising smallholder farmers to diversify and using drought-tolerant crops such as indigenous and traditional grains, especially in marginal areas.
The programme has resulted in a major reduction in grain support following its remarkable progress in increasing productivity and in its quest to achieve rural household food security.
“It is necessary to procure grain from districts with excess production and distribute it to districts with a shortage. The Government has released the 2023/24 lean season grain support modalities, which are tied to implementation of Pfumvudza/Intwasa methods.
“Between December 2023 and January 2024, it is anticipated that the majority of households in the northern productive resettlement areas will experience minimal acute food insecurity at the area level. This is due to the presence of self-produced food stocks, some income generated from selling crops and other common sources of income such as seasonal labour,” said the ministry.
Given the lean season deficit cereal balance sheet, grain importation is also recommended in the next three months.
Farming should be guided by weather and climate information therefore, farmers’ choice of crops and livestock must be informed by the agro-ecological region potential.
The ministry was also encouraged to intensify women-focused initiatives such as Agric4She and focus on drought-tolerant, nutritious crops and livestock.
Farmers are also encouraged to intensify agricultural production by increasing productivity rather than area and to protect livestock from tick-borne diseases.
“Presidential inputs support schemes should include chemical weed control options to curb challenges caused by inconsistencies in the season that hamper proper weed control. The moisture enhancers should be used across all crops.”
The presidential tick grease programme should continue and have an upgraded package that also includes deworming chemicals.
There is a need to intensify dip tank rehabilitation programmes, said the ministry.
The annual production and productivity returns should be increasingly utilised to guide production and investment, and a statutory instrument should be issued to make it mandatory for A1 and A2 farmers to submit these annual returns.
Farmers representatives have applauded the Government for introducing measures that will eradicate hunger in vulnerable families.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president Dr Shadreck Makombe said Government’s commitment is greatly appreciated adding that this will go a long way in alleviating the plights of vulnerable groups.
“This is a great decision because it shows that the Government is addressing the needs of people on the ground. Food is life and we thank the Government for such a commitment that will help to improve people’s lives,” he said.
Tobacco Farmers Union Trust president Mr Victor Mariranyika said not all places are food secure adding that the Government’s efforts to improve and sustain the lives of the majority is greatly appreciated.
“Vulnerable groups need support and protection for the betterment of their lives. Grain support is critical especially during this time of the year where the majority have exhausted the little they have acquired during the last season,’’ he said
Online Reporter