The 2025 City of Mutare was released a few weeks ago amid mixed reactions from the public, and a closer inspection revealed a glaring omission of the lack of attention to food waste management.Urban farmers and sustainable food advocates were shocked that the local authority’s proposed budget failed to address this critical issue.
Speaking on the sidelines of a two day workshop held in Mutare, on Urban food systems; Food security versus Food sovereignity, that was organized by Manica Youth Assembly (MAYA) in conjunction with Green Governance Trust, Proud Nyakuni an environmental lawyer highlighted that food waste management was a critical component when we look at issues to do with food security.She said one of the aspects of food consumption was to ensure that there is minimum food waste especially for environmental sustainability as well as ensuring that reducing costs at family level and council levels.“As the youths are going to lobby in the proposed 2025 council budget, they should ensure that City of Mutare considers issue of food waste. How should food waste be managed from our markets?“How does the local authority intends to support farmers, youths and women? What is the budget of City of Mutare towards urban food systems?”This is not something that can be achieved in a day but at least the local authority’s budget should at least have a fraction that goes towards urban food systems and supporting the youths and women when looking at the issue of gender equality and social inclusion. It is imperative in social justice and equity,” said Nyakuni.She urged City of Mutare’s proposed budget to highlight food system on how it is going to be improved in terms of food preservation and consumption.
Nyakuni however urged the youths to heighten their voices during budget consultations on access to land, what are the city fathers doing to support youths already into farming.“One of the things that the youths should do in the food system policy that I would encourage the youths to speak about during budget consultations is access to land. Is there a deliberate effort on part of City of Mutare to provide land for youths that come together to do farming.
“Then there are other youths already in business, what is council doing to support youths that are already in the food processing systems. We have a lot of food waste is there a deliberate policy from council to minimize food waste. These waste products from our markets can be transformed into biogas. What is the long term plan to ensure that our dumpsite does not just remain a dumpsite but can be transformed for energy that can be used for the city,” she added.
MAYA board member Andy Ziyera reiterated that the local authority previously did not have a policy on food systems but now they have taken it on board.”Council previously did not have a specific policy on food systems but have now taken it board. They were brought in by the Urban Resilience project and are now stakeholders in it. If we properly work together towards achieving this we should be able after some time to have sustainable food systems,” Ziyera noted.
In the past council budgets the absence of a clear plan to support urban food systems had been so glaring. No provisions were made for initiatives that promote sustainable consumption, food recovery, or support for urban agriculture projects.As a result, urban farmers and sustainable food advocates were now calling for council to revisit the budget and prioritize food waste management and urban food systems.
They argue that a fraction of the budget should be dedicated to supporting initiatives that reduce food waste, promote sustainable consumption, and strengthen urban agriculture.Acting Mutare City Town Clerk Blessing Chafesuka in a telephone interview with this publication noted that in the proposed 2025 budget they had many programs that will strengthen urban agriculture, promote sustainable consumption and reducing food waste.”We have many programs lined up in this respect. But we won’t be having any cash pay-outs. We will narrow down to these issues in our budget meetings.
“That summary circulated is a high level summary and not exhaustive. However that’s the essence of consultations, we want their input and suggestions. However we should be guided by our mandate.”Council’s core mandate is provide a conducive environment for businesses to thrive through regulating the environment,” said Chafesuka.
