Govt sets Command Agric deadline

Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE recently launched Command Agriculture Scheme has been over -subscribed by both farmers and funders as the Government has set October 15 as the deadline for farmers to have received their inputs.

In an interview after donating an assortment of groceries to the less privileged in Kwekwe to mark his 70th birthday yesterday, Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa said agriculture is the backbone of country’s economy, therefore it was important to revive it.

He said the revival of agriculture will impact positively on the country’s industry which has been facing some challenges.

Mashonaland East is leading nationally with basically all farmers wanting to be considered under the programme.

“Midlands province is at about 96 percent. We however have a province that is not doing well but I won’t mention it by name. We also have potential funders who are very much willing to provide funding. We are still weighing options to see which funders to take on board, those who are offering reasonable conditions,” said the Acting President.

He said by October 15, farmers should have received their inputs.

The Acting President said the Government was committed to ensuring that the initiative succeeds.

He said people should not smear it with previous agriculture initiatives which failed to yield intended goals. “We are working flat out on this programme, more than eight hours a day and farmers are being vetted to see what each single farmer needs. Others will need inputs only while others will need diesel for example and they will sign contracts which will tell them what they are getting and from where,” he said.

“Individual farmers will require different things and once they are given, they will be strictly supervised to ensure that it is a success.”

Turning to the donation, the Acting President said every Zimbabwean should always remember the needy or less privileged people in society.

The assortment of groceries he donated included maize meal, cooking oil, beans and milk.

@pchitumba1