Food shortages worry Govt

Prosper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
THE Government is concerned about the perennial food shortages experienced in the southern parts of the country and prioritises development of water sources and revitalising irrigation farming to avert starvation, the Senior Minister of State, Senator Khaya Moyo, said yesterday.

Speaking during a tour of Ebenezer Agricultural Trust at Silozwi area in Matobo District, Sen Khaya Moyo, said improving food production was at the heart of the new Government’s economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset), which was adopted by Cabinet on Tuesday.

The new document will spearhead the turnaround and development of the economy for the next five years.
“The Government is concerned about the effects of drought especially in this part of the country. We know it is not of our making because we have not been receiving good rains in the past years,” said Sen Khaya Moyo.

“We cannot win the fight against drought by relying on donors. Developing water resources and vibrant irrigation schemes is critical.
“Cabinet adopted a new economic blueprint yesterday (Tuesday) and food production is at the centre of that programme. Boosting food production is the number one activity of our Government and that is what we are seeing here.”

Sen Khaya Moyo implored Zimbabweans to work together towards developing the economy and pledged Government support in assisting committed and organised communities.

“We have to fight starvation together and change only comes through action than being cry babies. Establishing production projects like this one will take us somewhere.

“The problem we have in Zimbabwe is that we are polarised because of politics. The last five years were wasted because of bickering in the previous Government where some leaders forgot bread and butter issues and focused on trivia,” he said.

“We need to accept reality and move forward especially now that we are past the election time. Ironically some of us are still working against progress despite the endorsement of the election outcome by the Sadc, African Union and the United Nations.
“Now is the time to concentrate on developing our country, transforming lives and empowering people. We should be worried about nation building.”

Sen Khaya Moyo said ordinary Zimbabweans were keen to see improved production and enhanced lifestyles and called on all stakeholders to pursue that agenda.

He condemned selfishness, greed and corruption saying such vices were responsible for the sluggish development and challenged leaders at all levels to lead by example.

“There is power when we do things together. Zimbabwe belongs to all of us. I am impressed with the production taking place here and would love to see this concept spread to all constituencies,” said Sen Khaya Moyo.

The Minister of Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni, who accompanied Sen Khaya Moyo, said small holder farmers had the capacity to produce enough food if they work to their full potential.

“I am pleased to see you doing things on your own. This is a responsible approach towards poverty eradication. We are working on bringing experts who will teach you the financial management of your projects.

“I also applaud the church which is spearheading this empowerment project,” she said.
Project coordinator Pastor Patson Netha said Matabeleland had the potential, despite being a dry region, to produce surplus food through irrigation and cooperative farming programmes.

He said his organisation was committed to working with the Government and was working on expanding the project to all districts in the region.

Ebenezer Agricultural Trust was established in 2007 by a group of churches in the country and occupies 12 hectares of land.
The organisation provides training in agriculture and at the moment it has 70 students drawn from different parts of the country who are on a two-year apprenticeship.

Scores of community members are also attached to the institution and about 80 families are already running successful poultry projects, each keeping about 1 000 chickens.

Cropping and poultry production are the major activities at the centre.