MARTIN MAWAYA
KWEKWE-The shortage of grain at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and delayed release of funds have derailed the drought relief efforts in the Midlands province, Provincial Affairs Minister, Owen Ncube has revealed.
Ncube said that chief among the challenges include failure to adhere to the Zunde raMambo guidelines.
The minister said this during the food distribution and sharing of cash for cereal urban program modalities update meeting in Kwekwe.
The meeting was attended by July Moyo, who is the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
“We have encountered challenges that have affected the smooth running of the programme, which include shortage of grain at GMB depots particularly in Mberengwa and Gweru, delayed release of funds for transportation, and failure to adhere to Zunde raMambo guidelines,” said Ncube.
Despite these obstacles, Ncube stated that 119 out of 221 wards have received their full three-month grain allocation, supporting more than 412,000 beneficiaries.
The province has since distributed more than 10,000 metric tonnes of grain, representing 49 percent of the targeted 20,384 metric tonnes.
Under the Zunde raMambo program, a total of 620 metric tonnes have been collected by chiefs, leaving a balance of 406 metric tonnes.
The province has also surpassed its 2024 winter wheat target of 12 000 hectares by 3% reaching 12 459 hectares.
This achievement is attributed to the deployment of science, technology, and extensive mechanization, as well as the use of improved seed varieties, which have bolstered agricultural production and productivity, added Ncube.
However, farmers in the province have urged the government to invest in low-cost funding to boost production.
Clever Matutu, the owner of Wanu Farm, cited the late payments by GMB and electricity cuts as hindrances to achieve maximum production.
He emphasized the need for the government to invest in modern farming equipment to support the agricultural sector for optimum yields.
