Govt assures Buhera of food assistance
GOVERNMENT has assured people in Buhera of enough food assistance through the Grain Marketing Board in the wake of a dry spell that is threatening food security in the district.
Buhera, which is in the dry agricultural regions four and five, has been faced with erratic rainfall, which has greatly threatened crop production, leaving people in fear of a serious drought in the area.
Addressing Zanu-PF inter-district rallies in Buhera last Friday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Government had put in place measures to cushion people in affected areas.
“I was talking to (Agriculture Minister) Perrance Shiri and the Ministry of Social Welfare and they said no one should die of hunger because the food is there,” she said.
“Of course, the Ministry of Social Welfare may face transport challenges, but they have assured us that they will do everything possible to make sure the food reaches Buhera. I am told that about 90 tonnes of grain will be delivered to Buhera soon.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said Government had lined up a number of projects in Buhera as part of its policies meant to ensure that economic and infrastructural development reaches to all corners of the country.
She said Government planned to turn Buhera District into a green belt with the completion of Marowanyati Dam, providing a major boost to economic revival.
Marowanyati Dam is set to provide water for irrigation schemes in Buhera, which are set to start by end of this year.
“We want Buhera to be a green belt,” said Minister Mutsvangwa. “The Murambinda–Birchenough Road is being constructed. Unity and economic revival remains the cornerstone of development.”
Buhera North and Buhera Central legislators Cdes William Mutomba and Soul Nzumba expressed concern over the crop situation in their constituencies.
They said if the areas failed to receive rains anytime soon, most crops would be a complete writeoff.
“Our crops are in dire situation since we have last received rainfall a very long time ago,” said Cde Mutomba.
“If the rains do not come anytime soon, they will be a complete write-off.”
Cde Mutomba raised concerns over the manner in which grains were distributed in his area.
He said they were receiving little grain, which makes it very difficult to equitably distribute among households.
Cde Nzuma thanked Government for its food support initiative.