Harare Post Reporter
In a significant stride towards bolstering national food security, the Cabinet yesterday officially approved the 2023-2025 Multi-Sectoral Food and Nutrition Strategy.
Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services revealed this monumental decision at a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare yesterday.
According to Dr Muswere, the strategy was tabled before the Cabinet by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga who chairs the vital Cabinet Committee on Food Security and Nutrition.
Elaborating on its core intentions, Dr Muswere stated that, "The Multi-Sectoral Food and Nutrition Security Strategy for Zimbabwe (MFNSS) has been conceived to drive not only rapid economic expansion, but also socio-economic transformation and development. A major emphasis of the strategy is ensuring food and nutrition security for every Zimbabwean."
The Minister added that the creation of this robust strategy is the result of "wide and extensive consultations with stakeholders," encompassing both citizens and co-operating partners. He said that the same strategy stood as a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Second Republic.
Minister Muswere said that this forward-looking strategy aspired to propel Zimbabwe towards swift, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, benefiting every sector of the nation's economy.
Dr. Muswere further stated that the multi-faceted approach of the MFNSS will foster inter-sectoral collaborations, uniting pivotal sectors such as agriculture, education, health and child care, local government, social services, women and gender.
This synergy will facilitate the comprehensive development, execution, and monitoring of sectoral strategies, laying the groundwork for food and nutrition security at every level - individual, household, community and national.
Outlining the practical aspects of the strategy's implementation, Dr Muswere remarked that, "The MFNSS will rely on decentralised structures, with local development councils at the forefront of strategy co-ordination. The primary sectors will bear the responsibility of achieving the outlined objectives."
According to the Minister, the first National Development Strategy (NDS 1) will see its key areas operationalized through the MFNSS, including policy analysis, agriculture, social protection, food safety standards, nutrition security, and the enhancement of food and nutrition capacities.
Meanwhile, the ultimate goal of MFNSS is to mitigate food insecurity and malnutrition, bolstering community resilience in food and nutrition. This aligns with Zimbabwe's Vision 2030, which strives towards improved livelihoods, development, and economic growth.
