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Kudakwashe Chidziya Manicaland Correspondent
Councillors and traditional leaders in rural parts of Manicaland Province have appealed for food assistance due to the devastating drought which affected their areas.

Muradzikwa Village under Chief Zimunya in Mutare District, is among the most affected areas.

Ward 26 representative in Mutare Rural District Council (MRDC) Councillor Jimmy Chirenje said the situation in his area was dire.

“We have no yields to talk about. The 2018-19 season was really bad, we have a crisis. We have families that are going for days without a decent meal.

“We need food assistance. We are appealing for food assistance from both Government and its partners,” he said.

He said his area would require long term investment in community irrigation schemes to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture.

“As a long-term measure, we would need irrigation equipment. We cannot always be on the receiving end of food, at least if we are supported with irrigation we can produce enough to sustain ourselves,” said Clr Chirenje.

In other parts of the province, the local leadership has embarked on exercises to compile a database of those in serious need of food aid.

Village head Nyamana of Muradzikwa said he was working closely with Clr Chirenje in assessing the people’s needs.

“We are compiling a database of those in immediate need of assistance so that they benefit from organisations that offer food aid programmes,” he said.

Some villagers said they were living from hand to mouth as most of their activities were anchored on agriculture.

“Agriculture is not just a way of life for us, but our means of survival. We would sell groundnuts, tomatoes, onions and even maize so that we can raise money for school fees and to pay other medical bills.

“This year we have nothing to sell, and you can imagine how we are surviving. Life in rural areas affected by drought is tough. We do not even know where the next meal will come from. This is why we are appealing to Government and NGOs to bail us,” said Mrs Lydia Shiridzinomwa.