admin
“Yesterday I presented to Cabinet our first round of crop of assessment report which shows that nearly 500 000 hectares of the land planted will be a complete write-off.
“The Government has therefore resolved to extend the grain loan scheme up to 2012/13 farming season in order to curb food shortages. We agreed that we would not deliberate on the issue of payment at the moment.
“Cabinet also resolved that urgent measures should be taken to mobilise funds towards the resuscitation of irrigation schemes across the country in order to boost food production.”
Dr Made said his ministry was working flat out to ensure that this year’s winter wheat farming season becomes a success so as to augment food reserves.
He expressed concern over erratic power supplies by Zesa and the disconnections to farmers over arrears.
Dr Made said a request had been presented to Cabinet to direct Zesa to reconnect farmers ahead of the winter wheat season.
On the livestock sector, Dr Made said Cabinet agreed that a special funding scheme be set up to cater for livestock during the drought.
He made reference to Matabeleland region, which has been hard hit by the drought for the past years, saying more efforts were needed in expediting the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP), construction of dams and drilling of boreholes to boost irrigation farming in the region.
Dr Made’s report came after chiefs from most provinces in the country had expressed concern over the imminent food shortages due to poor rains.
Representing Matabeleland South, Chief Malaba of Kezi called for the intensification of the drought relief scheme in order to avert starvation.
“The drought relief programme should continue in Matabeleland South because farmers will not reap anything this year. The Government should set up more irrigation schemes and boost livestock production,” said Chief Malaba.
Chief Gampu of Tsholotsho, who was representing Matabeleland North, concurred, saying the Government should drill more boreholes, construct dams and set up irrigation schemes that would enhance food production.
Chief Musarurwa of Mashonaland East said communities in his province were already facing acute food shortages, especially in Mutoko and Mudzi areas.
He urged the Government to take urgent steps to provide food to the affected communities before it was too late.
The president of the Chiefs’ Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira, said the Government should seriously consider the chiefs’ advice because they were the ones who lived with the people on a daily basis.
He said chiefs should be involved in the distribution of inputs to curb abuse of the facility.
Chief Charumbira said there was a need to tighten the administration of the grain loan scheme as at the moment the facility was replete with mistakes, which has seen some districts not benefiting.
The chiefs said the Government should take urgent steps to procure enough grain before it was too late.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter