ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe, once known as Africa’s breadbasket, has recently received a donation of 1,000 metric tonnes of maize from Rwanda.
This much-needed relief comes at a time when the nation faces severe food shortages exacerbated by an El Niño-induced drought. The prolonged drought has decimated crops and livelihoods, plunging millions of Zimbabweans into food insecurity.
The Rwandan donation follows an urgent appeal from Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who declared the 2023-24 summer cropping season a national disaster.
Widespread crop failure across Zimbabwe, largely due to climate change-related droughts, has left many communities on the brink of famine. The mealie meal from Rwanda offers immediate relief, but it also highlights the deep-rooted challenges Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector faces.
At a time when many Southern African nations are also grappling with climate-related food crises, Rwanda’s timely assistance showcases the importance of regional collaboration in addressing food insecurity.
Beyond providing immediate sustenance, this donation reinforces diplomatic ties and sets an example of how African nations can come together in times of need.
Zimbabwe’s food crisis has reached alarming levels. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), more than 5.3 million people in Zimbabwe are expected to face food insecurity in 2024, a significant increase from previous years.
Rural communities are particularly hard hit, with many already having exhausted their food reserves. Urban areas, where food prices have skyrocketed, are also suffering from limited access to affordable staple foods.
Meanwhile, the country’s wheat production is expected to reach a record high, with a targeted output of 600,000 tonnes.
Preliminary assessments suggest a successful harvest, with the crop in excellent condition.
The total planted area for winter wheat reached 121,000 hectares, a substantial increase from previous years. The harvest is expected to exceed domestic consumption needs, with projections indicating over 600,000 tonnes, compared to last year’s 468,000 tonnes; the highest ever recorded since wheat production began in 1966.
According to Vangelis Haritatos, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, increased domestic production is essential for reducing reliance on imports and enhancing food sovereignty.
Despite the severe impact of the El Niño-induced drought, which saw a 77% decline in food crop production in some regions, the government’s wheat-based food security strategy has proved effective.
The government’s wheat production target for the season was 120,000 hectares, which was surpassed with 121,345 hectares planted. Matabeleland North, in particular, saw a 20% increase in wheat cultivation compared to the previous year.
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