Acting President Joice Mujuru shares a lighter moment with United Nations World Food Programme executive director Ms Ertharin Cousin (left) at her offices in Harare yesterday. — (Picture by Regis Nyandima)
Senior Reporter
Visiting United Nations World Food Programme executive director Ms Ertharin Cousin yesterday met Acting President Cde Joice Mujuru to discuss the agency’s work in Zimbabwe.
Speaking to the media after the meeting at her Munhumutapa offices, Acting President Mujuru thanked the WFP for its assistance to vulnerable people in Zimbabwe.
She said although Government — through the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Ministry — was assisting vulnerable people with agricultural inputs and food, it ultimately wanted them to be self-reliant.
“We have tried to feed people in schools and hospitals. We have people in the Tokwe-Mukosi area who have been affected by floods.
“These people have received assistance but we would want to settle them in a way that benefits them. They can venture into farming as a business,” she said.
Acting President Mujuru said farmers would be assisted through project identification and market access.
“These people can venture into sugarcane production since there is a ready market for ethanol. I have seen it happen with people earning over half-a-million dollars from sugarcane production,” she said.
The Acting President said by empowering vulnerable people, Government could boost its revenue by creating a larger tax base.
Acting President Mujuru emphasised the importance of educating farmers in post-harvest handling and value addition.
Ms Cousin said she was impressed by Government’s efforts to fight hunger through the Food and Nutrition Steering Committee.
“The visit is to find out if WFP is providing the help that Zimbabwe needs; if what we are doing aligns with the Government programmes.
We do not want to do what we think, but what is required by Zimbabwe.
“I am here to confirm that we are with you. We see ourselves as your partner and we look forward to work together with Government and the country,” she said.
Ms Cousin said the WFP had to scale down its operations due to funding challenges.