Command programmes wave grip the nation

Source: Command programmes wave grip the nation | The Herald March 16, 2018

Tendai Guta Correspondent
In a bid to break the cycle of poverty in the country, the Government continues to launch other Command programmes across the country, with the latest being the Command Housing Scheme, which will soon be unveiled by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Some few weeks ago, the new dispensation also introduced the Command Agro-forestry Programme which Minister for Environment, Water and Climate Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri officially launched.

The mother of all Command programmes, the Command Agriculture scheme, whose aim was to ensure food self-sufficiency, was introduced at the start of the 2016-2017 farming season following drought the previous season.

The scheme was introduced as Zimbabwe struggled with economic problems and was announced in August 2016. The scheme targeted farmers near water bodies, who could put a minimum of 200 hectares under maize per individual.

These were found to be 2 000 in total and each farmer was required to produce at least 1 000 tonnes of maize. Each participating farmer was required to commit five tonnes per hectare towards repayment of loans in the form of irrigation equipment, inputs and chemicals, mechanised equipment, electricity and water charges.

The Command Agriculture programme is a success story as the last farming season witnessed a bumper harvest following good rains.

This year the programme is also set to witness fairly good harvest despite a dry spell that affected the country at the beginning of the farming season.

The number of new farmers registering under the programme is growing by each season, signifying the growth of the programme.

In an effort to boost the national herd and that of other domestic animals, the Government on December 21, 2017 launched Command Livestock, which also covers fisheries and wildlife, which is to be funded to the tune of $432 million by both the State and the private sector, with major stakeholders pledging contributions.

Farmers were pleased by the programme as it was going to boost their herds and bring in a variety of breeds.

During the launch, Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Resettlement, Chief Air Marshal Perrance Shiri (Rtd) said strategies for enhanced private sector involvement in the supply of inputs, and public sector service covering the provision of technical support, infrastructure, extension services support on good animal health and husbandry practices as well as animal diseases and pest control to meet market requirements were being formulated.

The broad aim of the Command Livestock programme is to improve the supply of animal-based products to meet the nation’s food and nutritional needs and be competitive enough to meet export market requirements.

Livestock farmers welcomed Government’s assurances that it would assist them to market their products, which is highly commendable as they will not face challenges on market issues.

Government launched the National Command Fisheries Programme at Tokwe Mukosi Dam, Zimbabwe’s largest inland water body in southern Masvingo, with a target to stock at least 1,5 million fingerlings (young fish) to boost fish production across the province.

Tokwe Mukosi Dam was then stocked with an initial 200 000 fingerlings for breeding purposes, with harvested fish expected to be stocked in other smaller dams and water bodies across the province as part of efforts to meet high demand for fish.

The programme has since spread to other small and large dams across the country, creating employment in the process.

It is important that people jealously guard these fishery programmes that are being spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority from rampant poaching to enable the fish to breed quickly for the growth of the industry.

The Command Agro-forestry programme, which is also a complementary programme to the Command Agriculture, was recently launched in Harare and it has the potential to transform the lives and well-being of local communities and farmers in the country.

It also has the potential to transform and strengthen the state of the country’s natural environment in a positive way. Agro-forestry, which is a combination of trees and forestry with crops and agriculture in the same land use system, has a lot of benefits which include increased crop yields, diversified and increased income, improved soil health and decreased deforestation.

The new dispensation has also come up with a new national Command Housing Scheme to be launched soon by President Mnangagwa.

Apex Council chairperson Cecilia Alexander made the announcement during belated International Women’s Day celebrations hosted by Zimta in Harare last week.