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Zimbabwe Food Shortages Seem to be Worsening


Officials, farmers and millers report unprecedented shortages of maize meal and bread – Zimbabwe’s staple foods – raising concerns that already widespread hunger could become even more common throughout the Southern African nation.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Sylvester told parliament this week that the country has no foreign currency to pay for grain imports. The government is also accusing farmers and millers of diverting grain for sale on the more lucrative parallel or black market.

A spokesman for the Millers Association of Zimbabwe denied the charge, saying that its members are operating at under 16 percent of capacity due to grain shortages.

Reporter Carole Gombakomba of VOA’s Studio 7 for Zimbabwe asked Movement for Democratic Change shadow minister for agriculture Edward Mhkosi, a member of the parliamentary agriculture committee, what he makes of these developments.

More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...

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