Robust drought response roll-out begins

Debra Matabvu and Theseus Shambare

The Government is set to redirect funds allocated to the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme towards drought relief efforts, while a supplementary budget to deal with the fallout from the El Niño weather phenomenon is being considered, The Sunday Mail has learnt.

The authorities are also exploring the possibility of an intensive winter maize and sorghum production programme to compensate for the low harvest anticipated in the 2023-2024 summer cropping season.

Details of the proposed winter maize and sorghum programme will be unveiled after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said resources that were not utilised in the Pfumvudza programme due to widespread crop failure could now be used for drought response measures, as well as grain imports.

Budget allocations will principally be towards facilitating delivery of grain to about 2,7 million people considered food-insecure.

Initially, $44 billion had been set aside for the food relief programme, with beneficiaries expected to receive free food handouts during the peak hunger period.

Currently, about 71 500 tonnes of cereal have been earmarked for distribution.

“We might not necessarily have a supplementary budget, but we need to allocate more funding towards the drought relief programme,” said Prof Ncube.

“We had allocated a budget for the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme and now we are aware this programme will not be as successful as in previous years.

“So, some of the resources from that allocation will be diverted towards drought relief.

“At the moment, I cannot say if there will be a supplementary budget or not. However, other measures put in place include the importation of grain to augment the grain that we already have. So, Government is likely to import more, naturally.” The Government, Prof Ncube said, will ensure that “no one is going to die of hunger”.

“We have plans as Government, we have been through this before; 2019 was not an easy year, there was Cyclone Idai and then the drought. We . . . should be able to manage again.”

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said a roadmap for winter maize production is expected to be announced on Tuesday after the Cabinet sitting.

“An official statement will be issued after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, highlighting the roadmap to be taken,” said Dr Masuka.

Sources, however, suggest a focus on irrigated maize and sorghum production to ensure the country meets its grain requirements of approximately 2,2 million tonnes.

Said Minister Masuka: “The 2023/2024 summer cropping season has turned out to be a failure in some of the regions; some are projected to fail to get anything from their crops.

“However, on Tuesday, after the Cabinet Robust drought response roll-out begins sitting, a robust winter maize and sorghum production programme will be made public.

“What we want to assure the nation is that no one will die of hunger.

“Our collaboration with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare will continue, in line with the President’s words of leaving no one behind.”

Zimbabwe boasts over 10 000 dams with the potential to irrigate more than two million hectares (ha), but currently only uses a fraction of this capacity — about 220 000ha.

With around 90 000ha dedicated to winter wheat, this leaves over 100 000ha potentially available for maize and sorghum production.

In a separate interview, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo emphasised the need for an “inward approach” through winter grain production.

“We have been meeting with the Minister of Lands and from our resolutions, it is clear that an inward approach is required.

“Winter grain production is the way to go,” he said.

“We need to utilise all our water bodies, which are over 10 000.

“The truth is that this season has been really bad, but the President, during his speech at Somabhula, told us to tell you that there is no need to panic.

“Using his Isiphala seNkosi/Dura raMambo, you are all going to be catered for through grain distribution.

“Whenever you see us coming here with food, never think that it is me giving you, but rather, it is the President who is taking from his grain reserves to ensure no one dies from hunger.”

Meanwhile, the Agricultural Rural Development Authority (ARDA) is already preparing for intensive maize and sorghum production this winter.

The parastatal’s board chairperson, Mr Irvine Craig, said maize and sorghum production was a top priority this winter.

With a focus on the water-rich Lowveld, ARDA has set a provisional target of cultivating over 10 000ha of sorghum.

“As for the winter cropping programme, there are things that have been put in place by ARDA.

“During the current summer season, there was a plan to push a lot of maize and sorghum production,” said Mr Craig.

“After failing to meet the sorghum target in summer, the programme is going to continue in winter.”