adminFungai Lupande Mash Central Bureau
LANDS, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri has said the distribution of presidential inputs has nothing to do with politics or the forthcoming harmonised elections.
Speaking at Murongwe Primary School in Mt Darwin North last week, Minister Shiri said the inputs were enough for every Zimbabwean and people from opposition parties were also benefiting.
Murongwe Primary School used to be made up of pole and dagga classrooms, but was built to modern standards by the Air Force of Zimbabwe when Minister Shiri was the Air Marshal.
“These inputs are from President Mnangagwa so that everyone has somewhere to start from,” he said.
“You can buy your own fertiliser and seed to add to these, but this is from the President so that you can buy uniforms and shoes for your children and have some extra money to use.
“These inputs are not for any political party, they are from our President for every Zimbabwean. It has nothing to do with politics, people from MDC, NPF, Zanu-PF and other political parties will benefit, there is enough for everyone.
“Some might not be receiving pension from Government, but if Government is giving you free inputs like this, it is a form of a pension from the President.
“A lot of downstream jobs are being created from the cotton production chain. When you plant your cotton and have a good yield, you will have created employment at ginneries, at wool, textile and clothes making companies. Transporters will also have jobs of moving the cotton, mechanics will repair the vehicle.
“The President’s wish is that no family dies of hunger. This is a seed of wealth and economic development. Government is saving money because we are no longer importing maize and the money can be used to construct roads, reviving industries and companies and buy medicines in hospitals.”
Minister Shiri urged farmers to stop selling small grains like sorghum at lower prices to unscrupulous buyers since the Grain Marketing Board was now buying small grains at the same price of maize.
“I also urge you to stop selling your cotton to companies that did not give you free inputs,” he said. “Don’t starve the cow that you milk, be careful and sell to the one that gave you free inputs.”
Cottco donated 100 bags of cement and pledged to pay school fees to all top three learners at the school.
On the Bindura-Shamva Road that took 26 years to complete it, Minister Shiri said: “Bindura-Shamva Road was started during the tenure of the late Cde Border Gezi, Elliot Manyika and Ephraim Masawi and now we have the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Advocate Martin Dinha.
“It took years for the road to be completed, but when President Mnangagwa took over office, in two weeks, the road was complete.
“Ndodahondo Road which leads here is now under construction up to Mukumbura Border Post so that people will not use the Nyamapanda Road to travel to Mozambique. This will help in boosting trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique as well as reduce road carnage.”
Online Reporter
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