Masvingo Bureau — Chiefs' in Masvingo province have expressed concern over the precarious food situation in most communities amid reports that in some areas maize supplies under the grain loan scheme were erratic. Zimbabwe Chiefs' Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira, who hails from the province, called on the Grain Marketing Board to set up more satellite depots for people have easy access to maize grain.

Chief Murinye, Mr Epheus Munodawafa, said the Masvingo provincial leadership was supposed to be aggressive in the development of more irrigation schemes as the province had many dams that were under-utilised.

"We cannot continue to be talking of hunger year-in-year out when we have so many big dams that can be harnessed for irrigation," said chief Murinye.

"At the moment the major problem which we have is lack of an alternative plan to circumvent these chronic food shortages. We need lasting solutions and more resources must be committed to transporting food to hunger-stricken villagers in remote areas as there are some areas that are not even able to access food assistance under the grain loan scheme."

Masvingo Governor and Resident Minister Titus Maluleke said the problem of food shortages in Masvingo was of major concern as it was now perennial with at least 400 000 people in need of food assistance.