Zim agric now nutrition sensitive
ZIMBABWe has recovered from a position of hunger and food insufficiency through strategic planning by Government, with nutritional improvement, the quality jump, being the next frontier authorities are working on.
The mid-term review of the National Development Strategy 1 shows a trajectory towards the attainment of an upper-middle income society by 2030 as envisioned by President Mnangagwa, with Government going a step further to ensure the available food is not only enough, but of the best quality and nutrition.
To this end, the President has appointed a Cabinet committee on food and nutrition.
“The country largely remains on-track to achieve food security, self-sufficiency, as well as nutrition security by 2025,” reads part of the NDS 1 review concept note. “This is notwithstanding challenges posed by the continued devastating effects of climate change, coupled with conflict in eastern europe.
“The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on food security was minimised as the sector was declared a reserved sector, which allowed food production activities, and production support to continue on farms during periodic lock downs.
“The quest for self-sufficiency in maize production saw overall output go up from 907 629 tonnes in 2020 to 2,7 million tons in 2021, well in excess of NDS 1 targeted levels of 1,8 million tons.
“Notwithstanding the climate-induced below-normal rainfall season, Government interventions towards drought proofing agriculture saw resilience in production during the 2021-2022 farming season with 1,5 million tonne and during 2022-2023 with 2 million tonnes harvested.
“This achievement benefitted from adoption by Government of climate smart conservation agriculture practices implemented under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa scheme, coupled with continuation of input support programmes for farmers, including the vulnerable.
“Zimbabwe achieved wheat self-sufficiency during the first half of NDS 1, with record breaking wheat production of 337 212 tonnes and 375 131 tonnes in the 2021 and 2022 winter seasons, respectively. The projected harvest of 400 000 tonnes in 2023 will further open up scope for the country to produce both for wheat self-sufficiency and exporting.
“Government support for self-sufficiency in wheat production was complemented by initiatives from the private sector, as well as those by individual farmers, inclusive of self-financing.”
The NDS 1 defines nutrition security as adequate nutritional status in terms of macro and micro-nutrients.
Nutrition security is determined by access to adequate and safe food, care and feeding practices, sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, as well as health care services.
“NDS 1 targets to achieve long-term nutrition security by addressing the structural drivers of poor nutrition and health,” reads the NDS1 review concept note. “This is entailing the mainstreaming of nutrition and health across Government sectoral policies, underpinned by interventions to overcome poverty and inequitable distribution of resources.
“NDS 1 targeted to reduce stunting prevalence to 20 percent, for both the rural and urban population during the first half of NDS 1. Implementation of Government interventions will continue to benefit from the guidance provided under the classifications of the World health Organisation.”
The mid-term review of the NDS 1 indicated that Covid-19 control measures contributed towards inducing sedentary lifestyles which played a part in increased overweight amongst young children.
During the first half of NDS 1, prevalence of childhood obesity stood at 4,2 percent for the rural and 3,1 percent for the urban population. The mid-term review of NDS 1 indicates that Zimbabwe is on course towards reducing childhood wasting, which remained below the 5 percent threshold for emergency response during the first half of NDS 1.
Provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services was a key determinant of improving nutrition status.
Access to safe water was at 79 percent in rural areas and 97,5 percent in urban areas, while access to sanitation services was at 65 percent in rural areas, and 97 percent in urban areas last year.