Government Outlines Drought Mitigation Pillar 5 to Protect Food and Feed Markets
Michelle Moyo
The Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development has outlined Pillar 5 of the Government’s drought mitigation plan, focusing on enhanced imports and market supply protection to keep food, livestock feed and markets stable and mitigate the impacts of drought.
The intervention is aimed at maintaining supplies of essential commodities and preventing disruptions to the food and livestock-feed markets during the drought period.
“Under Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, millers and stock-feed manufacturers are being facilitated to continue importing maize, wheat and other essential grains,” said the Ministry.
The Government is also reviewing associated levies as part of measures to support the smooth and timely importation of essential commodities.
The measures extend to households permitted to import basic commodities for their own consumption, allowing them to continue accessing supplies without disruption.
“Households permitted to import basic commodities for their own consumption can continue to do so,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry said the measures are intended to protect supplies for both human consumption and the livestock sector as drought conditions continue to put pressure on agricultural production.
“The goal is to prevent shortages, contain supply pressures and maintain stability in the food and livestock-feed markets,” the Ministry said.
Pillar 5 therefore places emphasis on maintaining the flow of essential grains into the market while supporting access to food and livestock feed during the drought period.
