Mat South hit by drought

AN APPEAL HAS BEEN MADE TO THE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE FOOD SUPPLIES TO MATABELELAND SOUTH UNDER THE DROUGHT MITIGATION PROGRAMME AS THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS IN NEED OF FOOD ASSISTANCE IN THE PROVINCE RISES.
GOVERNMENT HAS SINCE OCTOBER LAST YEAR DISTRIBUTED 49 333 TONNES OF GRAIN TO 68 THOUSAND 380 VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS UNDER THE DROUGHT RELIEF PROGRAMME.
HOWEVER, THOUSANDS MORE ARE IN NEED OF FOOD ASSISTANCE AS THE PROVINCE DID NOT RECORD ANY MEANINGFUL HARVESTS. THE OBTAINING SITUATION HAS PROMPTED THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PROVINCIAL AFFAIRS CDE ABEDNICO NCUBE TO APPEAL FOR MORE FOOD SUPPLIES FROM GOVERNMENT.
OTHER PROPOSED INTERVENTION MEASURES INCLUDE REVIVING THE SCHOOLS FEEDING PROGRAMME AS A MATTER OF URGENCY AS LEARNERS CONTINUE TO DROP OUT DUE TO HUNGER, AVAILING SUBSIDISED LIVESTOCK FEED FOR COMMUNAL FARMERS AS WELL AS INCREASING THE NUMBER OF BOREHOLES.