The Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) has released its 2024 Rural Livelihoods Assessment Report. The report, shared by Honourable Dr. A.J. Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, gives an overview of food security and living conditions in rural Zimbabwe.
The assessment, conducted from May 3 to June 7, 2024, aimed to estimate how many people in rural areas might face food shortages during the 2024/2025 consumption year. It also looked at their nutritional status and identified key areas for community development. Data was gathered from 18,001 households across 60 districts, with input from 60 Chiefs, Headmen, and other local leaders.
The report found that from July 2024 to March 2025, Zimbabwe will need 448,350 metric tonnes of cereals from the National Strategic Grain Reserve. This includes 45,750 metric tonnes per month from July to September 2024, and 51,850 metric tonnes per month from October 2024 to March 2025. Food-insecure individuals will receive 7.5 kg of cereal per person per month from July to September 2024, and 8.5 kg per person per month from October 2024 to March 2025.
Additionally, 121,482.6 metric tonnes of cereals will be needed for the school feeding program from July 2024 to April 2025. The government has committed to providing the necessary quantities for this program and prioritizing payments under the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM).
ZimLAC praised the government for its ongoing efforts to ensure no Zimbabwean suffers from hunger or malnutrition. The report highlights the importance of food security measures and the need for strong, multi-sectoral support to build resilience against food shortages.
