Source: ‘Zim to reclaim bread basket status in four seasons’ – The Standard July 10, 2016
Zimbabwe will stop importing grain and reclaim its bread basket status within the next four seasons because of the initiatives undertaken by government to boost output, vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.
BY VICTORIA MTOMBA
The country has become a net importer of grain following the 2000 land reform exercise that decimated agriculture.
Banks have been reluctant to offer loans to farmers even after the issuance by government of 99-year leases to beneficiaries of the land redistribution exercise which were meant to act as collateral.
Speaking at the official opening of the Buy Local summit held in Mutare last week, Mnangagwa said history showed that the country had the capacity to produce its food and that importing grain would soon come to an end.
“We believe that with what we are doing, we should be able to say in four seasons, bye -bye to the importation of grain. For A1 farmers, we will continue to provide inputs for them and agriculture extension officers will visit those areas and make sure people grow the correct crops for the area,” Mnangagwa said.
He said the country had the largest water bodies in the region and there was need to harness that advantage and produce food through irrigation.
Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was getting agricultural equipment from Brazil to boost output. That is despite concerns the equipment was being distributed along party lines. First lady Grace Mugabe distributed some of the farm implements from Brazil during her political rallies last year.
The VP said the country required people to efficiently utilise the land and water resources to boost output.
“All those people around water bodies are being organised to use water and equipment and inputs but it’s not for free. Those who do not want to use water should stay away from water. Wherever there is irrigation we are resuscitating the irrigation scheme and creating new ones where there is a river or a dam.
“Arda had gone
COMMENTS
I wonder what these people smoke
DAY DREAMER! IF YOU LIE NOW AS VP, WORSE YOU BECOME KING MNANGAGWA!
We will not hold our breath. What of those who already have taken farms with full irrigation capacity ?? These schemes lie derelict and vandalized. Middle Sabi is a case in point. The country had fantastic irrigation development pre AND post independence. Let the people who know what they are doing come back and teach those who do not have a clue !!
We will not hold our breath. What of those who already have taken farms with full irrigation capacity ?? These schemes lie derelict and vandalized. Middle Sabi is a case in point. The country had fantastic irrigation development pre AND post independence. Let the people who know what they are doing, come back and teach those who do not have a clue !! Allow farmers to lease land from the clueless. This will at least ensure production in the short term and guarantee production in future years. Let us rebuild Zimbabwe to its former glory.
but but what if ‘sanctions’ are still in place. Isn’t that the reason for food shortages?
Come to think of it, it’s the reason for the missing $15 billion as well isn’t it!
He is worse than Mugabe!
hawu, i thought all those things were in place and broke down on account of sanctions. funny hey
Why, generally, are Zimbabweans not keen to improve their situation and that of their country even for a second? Could this be tied to colonial mentality or some evil spirit? In this time and age people still believe that someone from another planet or country is going to liberate them. Unfortunately, the” liberators” are grappling with the current global economic melt-down and other problems affecting them and they are busy looking for countries from which to syphone resources to offset these problems.
In my view Zimbabweans should have a common sense of purpose and work collectively to exploit the country’s rich resource base. Wanton destruction of property and stay aways,( retrogressive as they are), waiting for “manna”, or mere change of leadership will not solve the inherent problems. The answer to the problems lies in unity of purpose, embracing policies that try to empower Zimbabweans, and the wise use of the God given resorces the country has in abundance, both man-made and natural.
Those “liberators” are only looking for another source to fill their personal coffers. They do it by holding AK-47’s on the people, and making bogus claims against any who oppose them continuing their thefts. There are millions in Zim who want to work, work hard, and return their standard of living back to what it was before they were “liberated”.
Just think of all the millions who have known no other life than what they have experienced under zanu-pf control. To them, scrounging for a living is “normal”, and the quiet voice of those older who try to explain how life once was falls on confused ears because zanu-pf continues to spout their lie that Zims were once slaves and had nothing, but they were “freed” from that life by wonderful heroes who now deserve all the country’s wealth.
Fact is, they were “freed” from education, medical care, expanding infrastructure, a great economy, jobs, business ventures, and goods availability. They were “freed” from their money. Most of all, they’ve been freed from hope for their children.
No, those wanting a handout from other nations aren’t the Zimbabweans… it’s those “liberators” who just want another source to continue filling their personal coffers. Zimbabweans only want their freedom.
(admittedly, there are few willing to stand up and be the first to die for their dream… and that will be the sad cost. enslaved people must want freedom bad enough to be willing to pay the price.)
It’s white man’s magic – he’s on anti-depressants.
Mnangagwa is obviously taking some seriously strong drugs if he for one minute thinks that the banks will accept 99 year leases from a Government hat did not honour title deeds. The economic system thrives on hard work the rule of law and investment. As long as the Zanoids do not subscribe to hard work and the rule of law there will be no investment and the banks will have nothing to lend so everything will remain the same. If only idiot criminals like Mnangagwa could see how the world and most Zimbabweans laugh at their stupidity.
Oh my! ROFL – I nearly snorted my wine out my nose. Does Zanooo supply “medicinal” mbanje to their members? Or is it LSD? Oh wow – amazing