Drought-hit Zimbabwe to import maize from Mexico

Zimbabwe will import 250,000 metric tons of maize from Mexico after an El-Nino induced drought this year that has left up to four million people in need of food aid, agriculture minister Joseph Made said Thursday.

He told reporters the maize from Mexico will start arriving in the country next week and that some more maize will be imported from neighboring Zambia and South Africa.

"The bulk of the maize will be coming from Mexico and Zambia. We anticipate upwards of 250,000 tons will be coming from Mexico, the balance will obviously be coming from Zambia and South Africa," he said.

The Zimbabwean government has stated that it needs to import about 700,000 metric tons of the staple maize this year to plug the food deficit caused by the drought.

The government has also launched a 1.6 billion U.S. dollars food aid appeal to alleviate hunger in the country.

Zimbabwe requires 1.8 million tons of maize for human and livestock consumption annually.

Meanwhile, the country on Thursday launched the zero hunger strategy aimed at ensuring sustainable food and nutrition security in the country.

The five-year strategy seeks to assist the country achieve Sustainable Development Goal Number Two of Zero Hunger by 2030.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Justin Mupamhanga reaffirmed Zimbabwe government's commitment to ending hunger in the country.

"The government will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure people are protected from food insecurity," he said.

World Food Program country director Eddie Rowe pledged the organization's continued support to Zimbabwe to help it end hunger and malnutrition.

"We will continue to support the government in its efforts to see a Zimbabwe with zero hunger," he said. Enditem