Govt assures nation of food security amid dire crop situation

Bulawayo Bureau THE Government is putting in place a number of interventions to ensure food security across the country, amid indications that the crop situation is ranging from fair to dire, as the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon kick in. Among the cocktail of measures aimed to climate-proof the agriculture sector and ensure […]

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Bulawayo Bureau

THE Government is putting in place a number of interventions to ensure food security across the country, amid indications that the crop situation is ranging from fair to dire, as the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon kick in.

Among the cocktail of measures aimed to climate-proof the agriculture sector and ensure the country is food-secure, all Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution are meeting monthly to come up with strategies and share notes on how they can mitigate against the possible impacts of drought in their provinces.

One such meeting was held on Friday at a leisure resort about 60 kilometres out of Beitbridge in Matabeleland South province, where Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka assured the nation that the food security situation was under control.

“We meet for our monthly interactive meeting with Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution and the topical issue is the current El Niño-induced drought. We get reports from across the country where the crop situation is indicated to be ranging from fair to dire,” he said.

“This season has clearly lived up to the very harsh El Niño phenomenon that was forecasted. We did say that the season will be delayed but it has also been indicated that the phenomenon will be short and sharp. The current weather models are not indicating rain until the end of the month and our crops by that stage would have been severely stressed.”

There was a need, he said, to eliminate household-induced food deficit, while farmers continue to be advised to grow crops according to their agro-ecological regions.

He also said Cabinet has directed that the Grain Marketing Board (GMB)’s Strategic Grain Reserve must be increased to 1,5 million tonnes to ensure food security.

“As of yesterday (Thursday), GMB only had 200 000 tonnes of grain, but because of the changed structure, deliberation and marketing arrangements, GMB is no longer the monopoly purchaser of grains. GMB now only purchases surpluses from Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme producers and also self-financed farmers. AFC and CBZ (banks) no longer go to GMB but direct to contractors and the private sector,” added Minister Masuka.

“We have a policy that 40 percent of the annual raw material requirement must be procured through contracting farmers. The private sector holds 526 000 tonnes that were marketed last year, while GMB has under 200 000 tonnes, a 39 percent share of marketed crops.”

Dr Masuka said the Government was also constructing dams across the country as it was working on increasing the area under summer irrigation for food security.

He said food security at national level was achieved through accelerated irrigation rehabilitation and development.

“That is why we are constructing 13 more dams to the 10 600 dams we have in the country. We are potentially able to irrigate two million hectares and currently, we have developed an additional irrigation area of 208 000 hectares, with 75 000 hectares for summer irrigation. We want to make sure that 350 000 hectares will be available for summer irrigation so that we produce 1,8 million tonnes, which is what this country requires annually for human consumption, which is why we want to do accelerated irrigation development.”

The Government, Minister Masuka said, had also introduced another strategy where it would assist rural households, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, through trainings to improve food security.

He said after undergoing trainings and planting three plots under Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, those that wish to access social welfare would be assisted, with 71 000 tonnes to be distributed.

Those who had illegally settled themselves on State land were warned.

“In the context of the recent nationwide police blitz under the banner ‘No to land barons’, we had discussions with both Vice Presidents and there are further directions that they have given,” he said.

“There is now an inter-ministerial committee that has been constituted and I am chairing it. We will be meeting on Monday to receive a report from the Commissioner-General of Police on the operation, after which an announcement will be made.”

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Retired Judge Mtshiya remembered

Sunday Mail Reporter THE late former High Court of Zimbabwe Judge, Justice November Tafuma Mtshiya, who died in August last year, was a man of integrity, whose role in shaping Zimbabwe’s Judiciary remains exemplary, friends and family of the late jurist have said. Justice Mtshiya died on August 27, 2023 at the age of 77. […]

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Sunday Mail Reporter

THE late former High Court of Zimbabwe Judge, Justice November Tafuma Mtshiya, who died in August last year, was a man of integrity, whose role in shaping Zimbabwe’s Judiciary remains exemplary, friends and family of the late jurist have said.

Justice Mtshiya died on August 27, 2023 at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife Tawona and three children.

Speaking at a memorial service for the late judge in Harare yesterday, Justice Mtshiya’s son Nqobile Mtshiya described his father as a humble man.

“He was a man of integrity and raised us to be humble. We have gathered here to celebrate his life and what it meant to the family and friends. People who gave testimonies said his life was about love and that is very correct. He was always smiling and even in court whilst passing judgments,” he said.

Nyaradzo Group chaplain-general Rev Elison Kamupira said Justice Mtshiya left a legacy of helping the underprivileged.

“He was a lovely man, a gentleman. As a justice, he was supposed to take advantage of his position but he was not like that. He was a Christian. He taught us about the importance of education as a means of lifting the less-privileged. That is why he used to go to Epworth to help the marginalised,” he said.

The memorial service was attended by several Government officials and some members of the Judiciary.

Born in 1946, he obtained his law degree from the University of Zambia and joined private practice, working for companies such as the Zimbabwe Development Bank, Zimnat, United Sugar Refineries, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe and Noczim.

Justice Mtshiya served as president in the Administrative Court of Zimbabwe and then as senior president of the Labour Court of Zimbabwe, until he became a High Court judge. He retired in 2016 and served in the Lesotho Supreme Court of Appeal and also as acting judge of the Zimbabwe High Court.

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Zimbabwe’s plant exports soar

Theseus Shambare THE Government issued at least 32 000 phytosanitary certificates to potential exporters of plants and plant products in 2023, as the country continues to grow its exports in the agriculture sector. The figure, which was an increase of 7 000, was largely boosted by the citrus exports deal signed between Zimbabwe and China. […]

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Theseus Shambare

THE Government issued at least 32 000 phytosanitary certificates to potential exporters of plants and plant products in 2023, as the country continues to grow its exports in the agriculture sector.

The figure, which was an increase of 7 000, was largely boosted by the citrus exports deal signed between Zimbabwe and China.

A phytosanitary certificate is required to facilitate exports, as it shows that the agricultural products have been inspected and are pest- and disease-free.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri on Friday revealed the latest figures, while addressing a Zimbabwe food control system assessment and phytosanitary capacity evaluation (PCE) high-level meeting.

“The National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) issued 32 000 phytosanitary certificates in 2023, 7 000 more than recorded for the export of plants and plant products from the country as compared to 2022.

“The country operationalised the phytosanitary protocol for the export of citrus to China from Zimbabwe in 2023,” said Prof Jiri.

Last year, Zimbabwe exported more than 46 containers of oranges to China after the two countries signed a citrus trade protocol in 2022.

Fresh citrus products exported to China from Zimbabwe include sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), lemon (Citrus limon and aurantifolia) and sour orange (Citrus aurantium).

The General Administration of Customs of China also released a list of registered Zimbabwean orchards and packhouses for fresh citrus exports to the Asian giant.

Prof Jiri said the NPPO also worked hard to address the deficiencies noted in the audit of the export of citrus to the European Union.

“This great work, amongst other achievements, where no new pest incursion into the country was recorded for the past year, shows a good deed that requires protection,” he said.

Zimbabwe concluded an eight-month-long assessment of its national food control system to build up capabilities, strengthen governance and improve the strategic planning of food control in the country.

NPPO, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), undertook three PCE missions in Kadoma, with the last one ending on Thursday in Harare. FAO subregional coordinator for Southern Africa Zimbabwe Dr Patrice Talla Takoukam said food and phytosanitary control play a crucial role in ensuring better public health.

“It involves the regulation and monitoring of the production, processing, distribution and consumption of food to ensure its safety and quality. Countries also need to assure the safety and quality of their foods entering the international trade space and ensure that imported foods conform to set requirements.

“Strongly equipped, robust national food and phytosanitary control systems are, therefore, essential for safeguarding public health by preventing foodborne illnesses, managing allergens, controlling chemical hazards, investigating disease outbreaks and facilitating safe international trade.”

Ministry of Health and Child Care acting Permanent Secretary Dr Wenceslas Nyamayaro called for synergies among sister ministries and all stakeholders to improve the country’s exports, in line with international trade standards.

* X: @TheseusShambare

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Siblings in crime: 5 brothers in custody for armed robbery offences

Madzima Brothers: A family’s infamy grows as siblings face charges for armed robbery In a country where cases of siblings involved in crime are sadly not uncommon, the Madzima brothers have recently catapulted themselves into a new level of infam…

Madzima Brothers: A family’s infamy grows as siblings face charges for armed robbery In a country where cases of siblings involved in crime are sadly not uncommon, the Madzima brothers have recently catapulted themselves into a new level of infamy. Shadreck, Talent, Brian, Tatenda, and Lameck Madzima, five brothers are currently in police custody for […]

The post Siblings in crime: 5 brothers in custody for armed robbery offences first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.

Popular prophet in hot soup for bashing church members

Controversial prophet arrested for alleged assault on congregants In a shocking turn of events, Prophet Simabyu Shiri (35) of Springs of Living Waters Ministries has been arrested following allegations of assaulting members of his ministry, including h…

Controversial prophet arrested for alleged assault on congregants In a shocking turn of events, Prophet Simabyu Shiri (35) of Springs of Living Waters Ministries has been arrested following allegations of assaulting members of his ministry, including his own security team. The prophet’s habit of “disciplining” congregants took a dark turn when some brave individuals decided […]

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