A/HRC/43/44/Add.4 2018-2019 1 604 850 tonnes 23. The decreases in production during the 2017 to 2019 period are attributed to recurrent droughts. It is patently clear that Command Agriculture has contributed to a significant increase in productivity and if implemented well, it can lead to a grain surplus every season. IV. Normative content of the right to food A. Availability 24. The Government considers the comments relating to the causes of food insecurity as sweeping statements and wishes to highlight some of the ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring sufficient food production. A smart agriculture concept to anchor agricultural development and climate responsiveness has been adopted by the Government through, among other initiatives, broadening access to agricultural finance and inputs, promoting productivity, enhancing extension services and infrastructure and developing markets for value added products. 25. Combating corruption is also being accelerated with a view to ensuring the rights of ordinary citizens are safeguarded. In this regard, the Government has taken steps to restructure the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and to establish new anticorruption courts in all the ten Provinces in the country. 26. Notwithstanding the impact of the adverse weather shocks, as aforementioned, the Government has expanded dam construction programmes and the construction and resuscitation of irrigation infrastructure in the country. 27. The Government wishes to point out that contrary to perceptions, information on food reserves is readily available, but access to it is restricted due to its sensitive nature and associated national security risks. B. Accessibility 28. The Special Rapporteur’s report aptly captured the sluggishness of the economy due to energy deficits currently facing the Southern African Region. Conscious to the energy challenges and the complexities associated with power generation, the Government has introduced a host of measures to strengthen the energy mix by, among others, removing import duties on solar equipment, rehabilitation of power plants and licensing of Independent Power Producers (IPP) to generate electricity. 29. Regarding the deteriorating livelihoods, the Government has upscaled safety nets to cushion citizens and extend the elasticity of incomes. The Government has also introduced subsidised transport under the Mass Urban Transport System after realising that commuters were being overcharged by private transport operators. Subsidies on maize meal and other basic commodities and continuous costs of living adjustment allowances to civil servants are some of the measures the Government is undertaking to ensure that the people retain their dignity and that their rights and freedoms are safeguarded. C. Adequacy 30. Contrary to the Special Rapporteur’s conclusions based on a visit to only one primary school, the Government continues to implement the Home-Grown Feeding Programme, which is in a phased approach since 2016. Currently, every primary school is required to provide one hot nutritionally balanced meal per school day. In addition, as part of the Social Protection dimension under the current Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), the Government has substantially increased the budget allocation for the procurement of food for learners under the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme. 7

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