Harare (New Ziana) –Small to medium sized grain millers have commenced a roller meal distribution programme targeting vulnerable households to lighten the burden caused by the Covid-19 national lockdown, an official has said.
Zimbabwe is in the fourth week of a 35 day national lockdown put in place to curtail the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
Due to the informalised nature of Zimbabwe’s economy, the lockdown has severely reduced incomes of families who rely on daily informal activities for money to buy food.
This, coupled with persistent shortages of affordable roller meal on the market has necessitated the initiative by the small to medium sized grain millers.
Small and Medium Millers Association of Zimbabwe (SMMAZ) interim chairman, Davis Muhambi said targeted persons included pensioners, child headed families and other vulnerable groups across Zimbabwe.
“Our target is to raise 100 tons to complement government efforts in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
“We have raised 31 tons so far, with 5 tons of roller meal having been donated last week to the office of The Minister of State for Bulawayo.”
On the other hand, government, through its social protection arms is also providing cash and food staffs to vulnerable families.
Muhambi said SMMAZ was also pursuing a ward-based roller meal distribution programme to improve nationwide supply.
He said the programme was already operational in Bulawayo and would be spread across the country soon.
“We have already identified retailers that we will work with but at the same time emphasizing on strict “know your customer” practices to avoid leakages into the black market as well as speculative behaviour,” he said.
“The only reason the programme has not gone national is the fact that our members in other regions are yet to receive adequate allocations of grain that could guarantee the programme roll over and we are working with the Ministry of Agriculture on the matter.”
Muhambi said greater coordination among players and government was needed to end roller meal supply challenges.
“SMMAZ believes in employing a more systematic, measured approach which allows government to take a leading role which will promote professionalism so as to achieve the best outcome for our citizens.”
He said more small to medium sized grain millers were being roped in to participate in the government roller meal subsidy programme which was introduced late last year to cushion citizens from the increasing cost of maize-meal.
“As an association we are liaising with Ministry of Industry and Trade to ensure more millers are compliant so as to meet the minimum requirements to participate in the subsidy program. We believe this will go a long way in improving the supply of roller meal to citizens,” he said.
New Ziana
