Midlands distributes 73pc of targeted grain to food-insecure household

GOVERNMENT’S Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy has made significant progress in the Midlands Province, distributing grain to 73 percent of its intended recipients, translating to 14 961 tonnes of grain delivered out of a targeted 20 384 tonnes.

Under this programme, each beneficiary is receiving 7,5kg of grain per month.

The initiative seeks to provide food relief to a total of 905 969 people in rural areas across the province.

Speaking during a press conference organised by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, Midlands Province’s social development officer, Ms Philis Tena said the exercise is aimed at assisting vulnerable households affected by drought and food insecurity.

“The Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy blitz is an initiative aimed at providing food relief to vulnerable populations in rural areas who are facing food shortages. The programme involves the distribution of grain to targeted beneficiaries to help mitigate the effects of food shortages,” she said.

Ms Tena said by the end of last month, they had distributed grain to all food-insecure people in Chirumanzu, Shurugwi and Zvishavane districts.

“In terms of grain distribution, in Kwekwe rural, we managed to cover 97 percent while Gokwe North is at 75 percent, Gokwe South 51 percent, Gweru 67 percent and Mberengwa 60 percent thereby bringing the provincial average to 73 percent,” she said.

Ms Tena said the differences in percentages were due to the availability of grain and its movement from GMB depots to intended beneficiaries.

She said the Zunde RaMambo/ Isiphala Se Nkosi programme has collected over 742 tonnes of grain out of an allocation of 1 075 tonnes for all chiefs in the province.

“There is also the Zunde RaMambo programme under the blitz, which gives food to communities through their allocation per ward. This allocation of grain to chiefs was done so that they are able to assist families in dire need of food,” said Ms Tena.

She said in the past food relief efforts focused mainly on rural areas but the Government has since established that some people in urban centres are also food insecure hence the introduction of the “cash for cereal programme” in the urban areas.

Ms Tena said the 2024 urban livelihood assessment report has established that approximately 35 percent of the urban population is food insecure translating to 1,7 million people in urban areas across the country.

“The cash for cereal programme is meant to mitigate the effect of drought and other shocks on food insecure households, which include child-headed families, people living with disabilities, the aged and other vulnerable members of the community,” she said.

Ms Tena said the programme is running until March next year. She said the registration of potential beneficiaries is ongoing with first preference being given to people in high density suburbs.

Ms Tena said funds are transferred using the One Money mobile money transfer and those without lines would be given.

“Between August and September this year, beneficiaries will receive cash equivalent to the current price of 7,5 kg per person with value determined by ZiG/US dollar rate of the day.

The disbursement will increase to 8,5kg per month during the second phase of the blitz between October and March next year,” she said.

Ms Tena said districts are training childcare workers who will be part of the registration exercise which is already underway.