Prepare for drought, says government of Zimbabwe

The government of Zimbabwe, in AllAfrica.com via the Herald: Government has been urged to immediately prepare a major drought relief programme to avert starvation and hunger in the face of potential maize shortages. Hwedza South House of Assembly Member Cde Rosemary Goto (Zanu-PF) made the call in a motion calling for timeous disbursements of inputs. She also called for the establishment of irrigation schemes.

"Mindful of and anticipating the impending drought that is looking us in the face, I do hereby move that the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe should adequately prepare for a major drought relief programme to avert mass hunger, let alone starvation in our communities," she said.

Cde Goto said irrigation schemes should be established in every district to mitigate the effects of recurrent droughts. "As a precautionary measure also, I move that irrigation facilities be put in place in every district in order to lessen the burden of these incessant droughts which may be attributed to the global climate change," Cde Goto said. She said the illegal Western-imposed economic sanctions had worsened the plight of ordinary people.

Contributing to debate on the motion House of Assembly Member for Gokwe Cde Dorothy Mangami (Zanu-PF), urged Government to increase support to farmers to ensure an increase in productivity. "It is therefore important to give maximum support to the agricultural sector in order to have farmers produce to capacity levels to ensure domestic food security and the restoration of Zimbabwe as the food basket of Southern Africa."

Goromonzi North legislator Cde Paddy Zhanda (Zanu-PF) said support to communal farmers and improving grain production incentives were key to national food security….