Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare
THE World Food Programme (WFP) Zimbabwe has launched Bites of Change, a new podcast series that will bring together Government, the private sector, development partners and civil society to discuss food and nutrition security, agricultural transformation and resilient food systems.
Hosted by WFP Zimbabwe Country Director Ms Barbara Clemens, the podcast is expected to serve as a platform for dialogue on policies, innovations and partnerships aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening Zimbabwe’s food systems.
Launching the series, WFP Zimbabwe Head of External Relations Ms Ifeoma Madueke-Garba said Bites of Change would spotlight collective efforts that have improved food and nutrition security while showcasing Zimbabwe’s rich food culture.
“This is a podcast series, a platform for having conversations around food and nutrition security in Zimbabwe,” she said.
“It will be one that will bring together great minds from the public sector, the private sector, and also from our cooperating partners in the NGO world.”
Ms Madueke-Garba said the series would highlight key milestones achieved through partnerships over the years and provide audiences with a behind-the-scenes look at WFP-supported programmes.
“The podcast series will be highlighting some of the key things we’ve done in Zimbabwe as a collective to improve food and nutrition security,” she said.
“We will also be looking at the amazing things that we have in Zimbabwe in terms of food, how we cook this and how we make this more nutritious. We will take you behind the scenes to see how lives have been changed and improved over the years.”
She encouraged Zimbabweans to actively engage with the series by sharing their views and suggesting future discussion topics.
“The WFP has been here for over 20 years. So what have we done? What do you know about us? What do you want to know about us? Write in as well, you can tell us, give us feedback on some of the things that you’ve seen on the series,” she said.
The inaugural episode featured Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri, who outlined Government’s vision of transforming agriculture into a US$15.8 billion industry by 2030 through increased productivity, value addition and climate resilience.
Prof Jiri said Zimbabwe’s development agenda had evolved beyond ensuring food security to creating sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities.
“Food security begins at the household level, but it must ultimately translate into economic prosperity,” he said.
“If we can uplift each village, then we uplift Zimbabwe.”
He said Government was implementing Village Business Units to transform communities into centres of production, employment and value addition.
“These are centres of production, centres of employment and centres of value addition,” said Prof Jiri.
“Agriculture must be treated as a business at every level.”
Prof Jiri also stressed the need to modernise the sector through mechanisation, digital technologies, artificial intelligence and stronger market linkages.
“We must modernize agriculture. We need appropriate machinery, digital technologies, artificial intelligence and stronger market linkages that help farmers connect to buyers,” he said.
Ms Clemens said the conversations featured on Bites of Change align with WFP’s broader vision of strengthening resilient food systems and supporting Zimbabwe’s long-term agricultural transformation.
“We are not just talking about food assistance,” she said during the inaugural episode.
“We are talking about creating resilient ecosystems around communities, supporting farmers, improving market access and helping households move from vulnerability to self-reliance.”
She said food security should be viewed as both a humanitarian and economic priority.
“Food security is not just a humanitarian issue. It is an economic issue. When people are food insecure, there are consequences for markets, businesses and economic growth,” said Ms Clemens.
The podcast is expected to feature a wide range of guests and discussions on agriculture, nutrition, innovation and food systems transformation as Zimbabwe pursues inclusive and sustainable development.
