Christopher Makaza
The country’s 2021 maize and traditional grains production has increased, reducing the prevalence of food insecurity from 56%, the previous year to 27% this year, a Government official has said.
Addressing the media during the 19th Post Cabinet Briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa informed that the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZIMVAC) led by the Food and Nutrition Council (FNC) conducted an Annual Rural Livelihoods Assessment (ARLA) in May 2021, which revealed that the country is expecting a cereal surplus of 828 263 metric tonnes.
“The reduction in the prevalence of food insecurity from 56% the previous year to 27% this year is worth noting. This reflects Government’s ability to reduce the problem by over 50% compared to the previous season, hence the right step towards achieving one of the country’s goals in the NDS1, particularly of ensuring a food surplus economy. The 27% of rural households will translate into approximately 2 942 897 individuals requiring 262 856 MT of cereal (maize grain). A targeted movement of food from surplus areas to vulnerable areas will be undertaken since the country is generally expecting 828 263 metric tonnes cereal surplus according to the 2021 Second Round Crop Assessment Report.
“The findings further revealed that a well-coordinated Government assistance programme to smallholder farmers buttressed by the ready availability of inputs on the market and normal to above normal rainfall in most parts of the country, resulted in the country’s 2021 maize and traditional grains production increasing by over 147.5% compared to the 2020 harvest. The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme recorded a significant adoption rate, with 52% of households practising it and 56% of the sampled households having been trained within one year of its inception,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
The Minister informed that tangible achievements have also been registered in programmes like Crop diversification, Access to Agriculture Extension Services and Agricultural Markets, Agriculture Modernisation/Adoption of Improved Livestock Practices among others.
On social protection, Minister Mutsvangwa commended Government for maintaining consistency in its support of the vulnerable population.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has witnessed increased support from Treasury and, a reduction of assistance from the Development Partners.
At least 54% of the households received support from Government, with Development Partners complementing these efforts by supporting 25% of the households. The average household monthly income increased from USD 33 in 2020 to USD 75 in 2021.
