Mugabe Appeals for Help in Funding Agriculture Sector
Thomas Chiripasi
16.05.2013
HARARE — President Robert Mugabe today launched Zimbabwe’s food and
nutrition security policy calling on the international community to help
fund the country’s agricultural sector to improve the food situation in the
country.
Officiating at the launch of the country’s food and nutrition security plan
in Harare, President Mugabe urged international development partners to
support Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector to improve productivity and promote
self-reliance.
Mr. Mugabe blamed climate change and sanctions imposed on him, some senior
Zanu PF officials and companies by the West in 2002 for the food shortages
being experienced in the country.
Several parts of the country currently do not have access to adequate food
resulting in the Zambian government promising to help with 150,000 tonnes of
maize.
The president said about a third of the country’s children are malnourished
as a result of lack of nutritious food.
Deputy Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora said improving the food situation
in the country will help save the lives of several women and children who
are dying because of poor nutrition.
Vice President Joice Mujuru, who spearheaded the policy, said the 1995
drought, also had a debilitating effect on the country’s foodstocks.
But some critics blame the poor food situation on chaotic land reforms
embarked on by the then Zanu PF government in 2000 that displaced hundreds
of white commercial farmers and their laborers.
The policy launched today prioritizes a multi-sectoral approach to the food
situation, including research, resource mobilization and the growing of
indigenous crops to boost food reserves.