Story by Ruvarashe Mariga
AS Zimbabwe faces the harsh
realities of drought and food insecurity, the Methodist Church and the Chatukuta Dried Foods are empowering communities to take control of their food security through innovative food processing techniques.
In a groundbreaking partnership, the Methodist Church and Chatukuta dried foods have teamed up to tackle food insecurity in Zimbabwe’s drought-stricken communities.
The initiative offers a beacon of hope, empowering the church and the community at large to take control of their food security through sustainable agriculture and community-led initiatives.
“Today, as a church, we gathered here with a sense of purpose and urgency. We recognised that food insecurity is a pressing issue affecting our congregation and community, and we knew we had to act. With the El- Nino drought looming over us, we understood that the need for sustainable food solutions is more critical than ever. That is why we are thrilled to partner with Chatukuta Dried Foods, a pioneering organisation that shares our vision for a food-secure future.
“Through this partnership, we’re empowering our members with the skills and resources they need to ensure long-term food security, not just for themselves, but for the entire community,” said a member of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, Sarah Tembedza.
Through the partnership, Chatukuta Dried Foods is dedicating resources and expertise to empower the church and community by sharing knowledge and providing hands-on training on how to thrive in the face of climate uncertainty.
“Today, I’m demonstrating the solar-powered dryer as you can see, this dryer uses solar energy to dry food, preserving it for longer periods. This means we can now harvest and store food during the abundant seasons, and have a steady supply during the dry seasons. This technology is going to change the lives of our community in so many ways. First, it will help us reduce food waste, it will also provide a consistent source of nutritious food for our families and children. And third, it will create jobs and income opportunities for our youth, who can now start their own food drying projects,” noted
Founder of Chatukuta dried foods, Kuziva Chakutuka.
The Methodist Church and the community expressed gratitude for the valuable lessons they received and vowed to ensure that no one is left behind in breaking the cycle of food insecurity and building a more resilient, sustainable community for all.
As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with the devastating effects of drought, this pioneering partnership offers an effective model for addressing food insecurity and building resilience.
