Food and Nutrition Security Policy approved

Cabinet has approved the Food and Nutrition Security Policy in order to explore strategies to boost crop and livestock production. Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister, Dr Joseph Made says the policy looks at the technologies to be applied and the dynamics of nutritional value and balance.
He noted that the establishment of drought resistant seed varieties such as the SIRDA 113 by research organisations is one of the strategies that government is exploring to ensure that food security is guaranteed through the production of crops that do not require much water.
Dr Made added that the changing rainfall patterns due to climate change demand the country to find innovative ways of boosting agricultural productivity by coming up with seed varieties that require less water, tolerant of disease as well as boosting yield per hectare.
Meanwhile, the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre chief executive, Dr Robson Mafoti said his organisation is committed to introducing scientific innovations that ensure sustainability in agriculture.
He noted that the centre used its own resources in research and development to address the challenge of hunger caused by droughts and climate change.
The Inter-Ministerial Taskforce mandated by government to oversee the implementation of the Food and Nutrition Security Policy is chaired by Acting President Joice Mujuru and includes Minister Made and others in the inclusive government.