Reopen satellite depot at Siakobvu, GMB ordered Minister Shiri

Walter Nyamukondiwa Mashonaland West Bureau
GOVERNMENT has directed the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) to reopen a satellite depot in Siakobvu to ensure easy collection of food relief by villagers in the drought-prone area. The move is also aimed at ensuring that villagers deliver the little grain they produce to a centre closer to them.

The directive comes as Government recently urged villagers in Nyaminyami District to grow drought-resistant small grains which they can exchange for maize at the depot.

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri recently disclosed that the depot would primarily play a dual role of collection and delivery.

“There is the issue of drought relief, which means that this area needs food reserves because food generally is not grown in abundance in the area,” he said.

“Food needs to be stocked here (Nyaminyami) before the onset of the rains because it becomes very difficult to bring it here when it rains because of the long distances involved and state of roads.”

“Trucks end up taking the longer route via Gokwe. What we are going to do is instruct GMB to reopen a satellite depot here at Siakobvu.”

Government has since ordered the Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Ministry to ensure that the depot was opened in the shortest possible time. Minister Shiri said people in the area should grow small grains such as millet, pearl, sorghum, cowpeas and rapoko among others which are drought tolerant.

He said Government was not imposing the small grains on villagers, but the GMB depot would act as an exchange centre.
“We have noticed that this area is very dry and small grains would grow very well. We urge people to grow millet, sorghum, rapoko and cowpeas among others which can reach maturity in the event of inadequate rains,” he said.

“We are going to have maize at the satellite depot so that people can bring their small grains and exchange with maize. So there is need to grow what is suited for your area.”

He said growing of small grains would be a short-term measure, while irrigation systems were being put in place through construction of an 18km canal from Lake Kariba.

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey