By Virginia Njovo
While nearly half of Zimbabwe’s population is in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, Masvingo Province appears to be weathering the storm, thanks to a strong agricultural season that has left it with a cereal surplus.
According to a recent UNICEF report released on May 29, 2025, approximately 7.8 million Zimbabweans, up from 4 million in 2024, are now food insecure. This alarming increase is largely attributed to the devastating El Niño-induced drought, which has triggered widespread crop failures, livestock losses, and water shortages.
“The heavy rains and flash flooding came at a time when some districts were yet to recover from the effects of the El Niño drought. Late onset of rains and delayed planting may negatively impact crop yield, and some districts may lose crops due to excessive rains. As a result, 7.8 million people, including women and schoolchildren, remain at risk,” reads part of the report.
However, in contrast to this grim national outlook, Masvingo Province has reported a successful farming season.
Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa, said the province produced 396 metric tonnes of cereal, far exceeding the local consumption requirement of 190 metric tonnes for its 1.6 million residents.
“This season, Masvingo is not much affected. We have over 200 metric tonnes surplus, and all our seven districts received normal to above-normal rainfall—except for Chivi, which may need assistance about 10 months from now,” said Dr Pazvakavambwa.
He said Masvingo contributed 40 percent of the country’s small grains, and local poultry production was thriving with over 2.8 million chickens recorded across the province.
“We cannot say we are in a dire situation in terms of food security in the province,” he emphasized.
Yet, even with Masvingo’s relative stability, the broader crisis cannot be ignored. Zimbabwe is also grappling with public health emergencies, particularly in informal settlements and high-density areas.
As of April 30, the country had recorded 740 confirmed cholera cases and 20 deaths, with over 125,000 people infected by common diarrheal diseases so far this year. Malaria cases are also climbing in several regions, further straining Zimbabwe’s already fragile health system.
The worsening humanitarian situation calls for immediate, well-coordinated national action.
