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Elita Chikwati Senior Reporter

The National Fire Week was launched today at Gwebi Agricultural College in Mashonaland West, a province rated as the worst affected by veld fires.

Ministries of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement and Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality called on farmers to be responsible and devise fire prevention measures.

National Fire Week launch is meant to raise awareness among communities on the need to prevent veld fires by undertaking pre-fire suppression measures such as fireguard construction, biomass reduction and early controlled burning.

Every year, the second week of May is set aside for education and awareness raising on the dangers associated with veld fires and therein strategies for their prevention.

Statutorily, the veld fire season in Zimbabwe stretches from July 31 to October 31 each year.

This year’s function, which was hosted by the Environmental Management Agency was attended by Minister of State for Mashonaland West Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, traditional leadership, farmers and agricultural inputs suppliers.

The launch was held under the theme: “Veld Fires and Food Security- Protect the Harvest”.

It was noted that the country had registered a bumper harvest of its own kind in more than 20 years, but the gains could be lost if people were not careful on veld fires.

Farmers were urged to make fireguards and acquire knowledge on fire-fighting to reduce losses due to fire.

Minister Mliswa-Chikoka, Environment Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu and Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Douglas Karoro all called for people to be alert on veld fires.