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Precious Manomano

Herald Reporter

The Zunde raMambo/Isiphala seNkosi programme will be extended to 292 chiefs, 500 headmen and 36 000 village heads during the 2023/2024 summer cropping season to increase food production, and ease the challenges brought to communities by climate change.

In previous seasons, the Zunde raMambo/Isiphala seNkosi concept was directed to Chiefs only, but has now been rolled out to headmen and village heads.

The programme will target 9 587 hectares of maize and 5 478 hectares of sorghum.

A weekly update from the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services indicates that Chiefs will receive 25kg of seed maize, 15kg of sorghum, 250kg of basal fertiliser and 250kg of top dressing.

“About 292ha are targeted by Chiefs. Headmen will receive 20kg of seed maize, 10kg of sorghum, 200kg of basal fertilisers and 200kg of top dressing fertilisers and targeting 375ha under this programme.

“Village heads will receive 10kg of seed maize, 5kg of sorghum, 100kg of basal fertiliser and 100kg of top dressing fertiliser. Village heads will be targeting 14 400ha,” said the department.

Zunde raMambo is a traditional method of food production where able-bodied men of the community come together to produce food for the community.

The food would be used in times of food shortages.

Climate change and other challenges in the last seasons, have resulted in a decline in food production and the Government seeks to turnaround the situation through rolling out various robust programmes aimed at sustaining and protecting the food production sector.

Chief Matsivo of Mbire, born Chinheza Chigwajara, said the Zunde raMambo was greatly appreciated, adding that several vulnerable groups in his area have already been benefiting from it.

“We appreciate the Government’s efforts on this programme. Last year, we produced 43 tonnes of pearl millet. Under this programme, we have a committee which will distribute crops to those who are in need of food. 

“Moreover, we donate two bags to families in the event of the death of a family member. We produced a good harvest last year, but this time we do not think we can manage to produce anything due to elephants, which are damaging crops in our area,” he said.

Chief Matsivo said it was critical for the Government to continue supporting the programme as it was critical to improving productivity and eliminating hunger in communities.

Mrs Ednah Mutara of Chirunya Village in the same area said she benefited from the programme last month after failing to harvest her crops in fear of elephants.

“I failed to harvest my crops and all of them were destroyed by the elephants. I went to the Chief to report the matter and I was given some millet which helped to alleviate hunger and poverty at home. I am grateful for this initiative,” she said.

The agricultural sector has improved dramatically since 2018 after the Second Republic introduced a number of support programmes to boost productivity.

Next season, the Government is targeting a cereal production of 3,7 million tonnes. With the right crops, almost all farmers should be able to grow grain for their household, and no one will go hungry.

Areas that fail to produce meaningfully, will be supported by those that have surplus.