United Nations Radio

High food insecurity persists in Zimbabwe despite of improvements in agricultural production and a more liberal import policy this year, according to a report by two United Nations agencies dealing with food.

Woman tends to her family's land

The report issued on Thursday by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Progamme says the production of the staple crop, maize, is estimated at over 1 million metric tonnnes this year because of good rainfall.

This is an increase of 130 per cent on the record low harvest in 2008.

However the report forecast production of winter-season to be only 12,000 tonnes.

This lowest ever production reflects the high cost of fertilizers and quality seeds, for lack of financial liquidity for farmers and the uncertainty of the electricity supply for electricity.

In March the government abandoned the Zimbabwean dollar and adopted the United States dollar and South African rand as legal currencies.

It also relaxed rules to allow free movement as well as buying and selling of grain in the country and removed import duties.

The government has also designated its Grain Marketing Board as a buyer of last resort to maintain a floor price for maize and protect domestic producers.

According to the report, these measures have filled shops with products and reduced prices.

However, the report points out that for most households without access to foreign currency, basic necessities still remain out of reach.

It estimates that close to three million people will face food shortages in the 2009-2010 marketing year and will need assistance.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.

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