Zimbabwe unveils food security plan to address pot...

Zimbabwe unveils food security plan to address potential El Niño impact

Nyashadzashe Ndoro and Oscar J Jeke

The government has announced plans to introduce an import duty waiver for grains such as maize, rice and wheat effective July 1 to mitigate the potential effects of the El Niño-induced drought.

Addressing journalists during the post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr. Jenfan Muswere said the strategy aims to guarantee food access for the nation and prevent hunger during the upcoming agricultural season (April 2024-March 2025).

The government said its plan is an acknowledgement of the potential threat posed by the El Niño-induced grain deficit and aims to proactively address the possibility of drought conditions.

The government acknowledged the rising demand for rice and emphasised expanding the area dedicated to rice cultivation.

The authorities plan to encourage increased domestic wheat production for direct consumption.

Cabinet approved the “Food Security Outlook Report” to guide winter cereal production planning until March 2025.

For the social welfare food distribution, Cabinet approved that an immediate increase in the monthly grain allocation for social welfare programmes is implemented, rising from 7.5kg to 8.5kg per person by October.

The government said it will purchase surplus local grain at an import parity price of US$390 per tonne.

The government further said duty waivers would be applied to imported rice and potato seeds.

Starting July 2024, households will be permitted duty-free importation of essential food items like maize, rice, and cooking oil.

Minister Muswere said the Grain Mobilisation Committee, aimed at enhancing food security efforts, will oversee imports by both the private sector and households.

“Cabinet has approved the re-activation of the Grain Mobilisation Committee to monitor private sector imports as well as household imports,” Minister Muswere said.

While responding to questions from journalists, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Anxious Masuka said Genetically Modified maize will be allowed for import strictly for animal feed, subject to rigorous monitoring of milling and distribution.

“We have introduced duty waiver on the importation of rice and potato seed. Importation of Genetically Modified stock feed, under strict supervised milling and distribution.”

“Government has availed duty-free importation of maize, rice and cooking oil by households with effect from July 2024,” Minister Masuka said.

By implementing these measures, the government said it seeks to ensure sufficient food stocks and maintain food affordability for the nation throughout the coming year.