President Emmerson Mnangagwa says the government is seized with efforts to ensure that both rural and urban communities have adequate food security amid the El-Nino-induced drought crisis.
He was speaking at the main Independence Day celebrations held in Murambinda district on Thursday.
Mnangagwa said part of the initiatives being implemented to ensure food security include reactivating winter maize projects.
“This year’s celebrations come on the backdrop of the climate change-induced El Niño drought. It is the worst drought in 40 years, which is affecting the entire SADC region. I am aware that many of our communities, including here in Manicaland Province, have been affected by the low rainfall, which resulted in poor harvests,” he said.
“As such, earlier this month, I invoked a nationwide State of Disaster on the Drought to allow our Government machinery and institutions to give special attention to mitigating the negative impact of the drought. The Second Republic, under ZANU PF, is a people-centered Government, committed to wholeheartedly attending to the needs of our communities. In both rural or urban areas, no Zimbabwean will succumb to starvation. Adequate resources are being mobilized towards national food security.”
Mnangagwa noted that the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme is gathering pace following the identification of vulnerable communities and households in every district and ward.
“Drawing from our traditional heritage, cultural norms, and values, we are tackling drought in unity; no one and no place will be left behind. My government is implementing a robust winter cropping program as we broaden our Strategic Grain Reserves. Furthermore, measures are in place to reactivate winter maize projects in Chiredzi, Muzarabani, and Binga.”
