Government Rolls Out Second Phase Of Grain Distribution

The Government of Zimbabwe has officially commenced the second phase of grain distribution aimed at supporting vulnerable and food-insecure communities across the nation.

Vice President Kembo Mohadi announced the initiative during a recent visit to Beitbridge, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to ensuring food security for all Zimbabweans despite ongoing challenges posed by drought conditions.

In an interview, VP Mohadi revealed that the food deficit mitigation strategy is set to continue through the first quarter of next year. By the end of June, the Government had successfully distributed a total of 51,415.02 tonnes of grain to food-insecure households in various provinces.

The distribution breakdown includes significant allocations to Manicaland (7,780.64 tonnes), Mashonaland Central (5,891.09 tonnes), Mashonaland East (5,207.06 tonnes), Mashonaland West (6,078.17 tonnes), Masvingo (10,243.25 tonnes), Matabeleland North (3,215.13 tonnes), Matabeleland South (4,803.48 tonnes), and Midlands (7,845.30 tonnes).

Despite the adverse effects of the El Niño-induced drought, which has severely impacted agricultural productivity and livestock health, the Vice President reassured the public that the Government is taking decisive actions to mitigate hunger.

“Things are not looking good for livestock and people as a result of the drought situation, and as a Government, we saw it fit that people must get food relief, especially the food insecure and vulnerable,” he stated. VP Mohadi further assured citizens that under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, no one in Zimbabwe would die of hunger.

“We have enough grain to distribute. So for now, we are done with the first tranche; we have three months’ tranches. Now we are rolling out the second tranche. We will give people food up to March next year,” he affirmed. In addition to grain distribution, the Government is also addressing the plight of livestock affected by the drought.

Recognizing the poor pasture conditions, the administration is providing fodder, which is currently being transported from silage facilities in Kwekwe to the severely impacted provinces of Matabeleland South and Masvingo. Furthermore, as the wheat harvest progresses, the stover is being processed into hay bales to assist in feeding livestock.

Addressing the pressing water shortages exacerbated by the drought, VP Mohadi announced the initiative to drill more boreholes under the Presidential Boreholes Scheme, with assistance from the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). “We learn every day and we are taking all necessary steps to ensure there is food security everywhere in Zimbabwe,” he said.

In response to infrastructure challenges that affect food distribution and agricultural operations, VP Mohadi indicated that the Government is re-tendering the Beitbridge to Victoria Falls highway project due to the previous contractor’s failure to fulfill their obligations. “We hope to see civil works begin as soon as we get a competent contractor. We aim to attend to all the trunk roads in the country to address challenges relating to transport and logistics,” he explained.

Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu, expressed her gratitude for the Vice President’s assurances regarding the ongoing drought mitigation measures. The province has been one of the hardest hit by drought, and the intervention of ZINWA to drill more boreholes has been crucial in alleviating water shortages.

Dr. Ndlovu highlighted that initiatives are already underway to establish business centers across the province’s seven districts. These centers will provide essential services, including feeding, vaccinating, and caring for livestock, aimed at minimizing poverty-related deaths due to drought. “We are pleased to get assurance from the Vice President that there will be a second phase to help those households which are food insecure with grain. Already we are receiving stock feed from Kwekwe, which has gone a long way in addressing the food situation for our livestock,” she said.