Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru City Council yesterday launched the Gweru Agriculture Policy as part of efforts to ensure food security and household food sustainability through agriculture.
The launch was supported by the Swiss Embassy which channelled seven million Swiss Francs to six local authorities including Gweru city to implement the project.
Speaking during the launch at Midlands State University Great Hall on November 3, Gweru Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi said the launch of the blue print was the opening of a new chapter toward implementing sustainable urban agriculture.
“The launching of this Urban Agricultural Policy is set on the basis that the rationale of the framework is meant to establish sustainable urban agriculture.
“The main thrust of this policy however seeks to assist the survival of many families in urban areas through agricultural activities which provide employment for urban dwellers especially women. This will help in revenue generation as food export will increase on local, regional and international markets,” said Kombayi.
He added that the initiative is going to expand the commercial food market.
“This initiative of urban farming focuses on nutrition, health and prevalence of diseases as well as exposure to commercial food marketing of lower nutritional value per cost.
“Sustainable agriculture is a system for renewable natural resources that provide food, income and livelihood for present and future generations. This system also provides environmental health, economic profitability and social,” he added.
The project was started on the basis of increased poverty levels in urban areas and coming up with mechanisms to alleviate hunger.
