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Yeukai Karengezeka Herald Correspondent

Almost 60 000 people from Mutoko are now receiving monthly grain rations from the Government in the food mitigation programme to cushion them during this lean season.

Last month, 33 201 households were added by the Government to take the Mutoko total from 44 782 to 57 983 beneficiaries.

The move that has been welcomed by the community.

While the Government is determined that no one ever starves in Zimbabwe, it has also put in place several programmes, including Pfumvudza/Intwasa, to get households to grow their own food and this year emphasis was on traditional grains for farmers in areas that record poor maize yields.

While orphans, the disabled and the elderly are likely to require food aid in future years, the Government is willing to back those who grow their own food with the support they need so they become self-supporting and start making a profit from selling surpluses.

Beneficiaries thanked the Government for cushioning them as their yields were affected by erratic rains last year.

“We were starving since we did not produce anything in the fields last season. I would like to thank Government for providing us with grain, now I am able to provide for my six children that I look after,” said Gogo Anne Kakomwe (74) from ward 13.

Mr Schubert Kandemire from Muzangaza village in Mutoko Ward 13 said the food was assisting them greatly.

“We thank Government for this initiative that has enabled us to get food under these difficult times. Our crops were affected last year and this year again the situation is the same,” he said.

Ms Emiria Maodza (66) said Government should consider expanding the programme.

“The provision of grain has relieved us from hunger,” she said. “We are able to have decent meals. However, my plea is that the Government should also consider giving us beans, rice and cooking oil.”

Addressing beneficiaries at Mbudzi A on Thursday where 1 050 people were receiving grain, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Professor Paul Mavima said Government was committed in ensuring that it fed food insecure families.

“As Government, we are aware that there are areas that are mostly affected by climate change and as such they produce low yields,” he said.

“We are committed to ensure that all vulnerable households across the country are food secure by offering them grain, among other things.”

Prof Mavima said while donor aid for the lean season was ending in March, Government was going to continue to distribute grain to households in 52 districts across the country until the end of May.

He urged people in dry communities to shift focus from planting maize and go for traditional grains which are compatible with their regions.

“We want to intensify here the planting of traditional grains so that at household level there can be food sufficiency,” said Prof Mavima.

“As Government, we should only be left to support vulnerable members of the community like orphans, the disabled and the elderly.”

Prof Mavima’s ministry is also offering help in communities through programmes such as food for work, cash transfers and assisted medical services where the vulnerable sick people are treated free of charge at Government hospitals and clinics.