The Government has approved a new Nutrition Financing Strategy aimed at strengthening food security while addressing the growing burden of obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The strategy was approved during the Twenty-First Cabinet Meeting chaired by President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday. It was presented by Vice President General (Retired) Dr. Constantino Chiwenga in his capacity as Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Food Security and Nutrition.

Cabinet noted significant progress in improving the country's food security and nutrition over the past two decades, with Zimbabwe's Global Hunger Index score improving from 35.5 in 2000 to 20.9 in 2025. The gains have been attributed to Government initiatives such as the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, improved access to agricultural inputs, the Food Deficit and Drought Mitigation Programme, and efforts by First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa to promote traditional food systems.

Despite these achievements, Cabinet expressed concern over the increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and fast foods, which are contributing to rising cases of obesity, overweight and other diet-related non-communicable diseases.

Under the new strategy, revenue collected from taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and fast foods will be directed towards nutrition and NCD prevention programmes. Funding will support interventions across health and nutrition, agriculture, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, social protection, research, advocacy and programme coordination.

Planned interventions include nutrition support during the first 1,000 days of life, school feeding and nutrition programmes, food fortification, promotion of climate-resilient and traditional foods, support for smallholder farmers, consumer education, nutrition surveillance and research. Government also pledged to simplify technical nutrition policies into accessible public information to encourage healthier lifestyles nationwide.