Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira, Senior Zimpapers Reporter
GOVERNMENT is committed to providing agricultural inputs and farmers should take advantage of prospects of good rains this summer cropping season to produce enough food for the country, President Mnangagwa has said.
He made the remarks while addressing a Zanu-PF Central Committee meeting in Harare yesterday.
“Guided by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development’s presentation on prospects of the 2025/2026 summer cropping season, I urge the Central Committee, to guide our structures in the mobilisation of farmers.
“We must take advantage of yet another predicted good rainfall season to produce more, to feed ourselves and provide adequate feedstock into industry,” said President Mnangagwa.
“On our part as the Zanu-PF Government, we are committed to avail inputs, fertilisers, chemicals and other relevant support across all provinces and districts.”
He called for increased production by farmers taking advantage of various trade agreements and protocols to reach out to the export markets.
“Increased production and productivity in the agriculture sector should see us taking advantage of various trade protocols and agreements, which our revolutionary mass party and Government have entered into with progressive nations, such as the People’s Republic of China, as well as under SADC, Comesa and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“In this light, the party, working closely with ministries, departments and agencies of Government, should scale up the capacitation of farmers, SMEs, the youth, women and war veterans to access export markets,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said the revolutionary party was determined to grow a strong agriculture sector that improve the life of ordinary persons.
“Zanu-PF remains preoccupied and focused on growing a robust and productive agriculture sector, that lifts many out of poverty, into prosperity, while being responsive to the negative effects of climate change, particularly droughts. Towards achieving this goal, I launched the Productivity Booster Kit and issued out Title Deeds in Mashonaland Central Province,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said efforts to empower party wings were still ongoing and warned unscrupulous elements not to abuse the facilities.
“Meanwhile, work with the wings of the party, including the War Veterans, Women and Youth Leagues, to empower our membership and grow the economy is ongoing. Recently, I launched the Presidential Women’s League Empowerment Fund to facilitate the expansion and diversification of various income generating projects being implemented by women,” he said.
“Abuse of these facilities will not be accepted. We are a party that honours the grassroots. We must maintain our character as an inclusive, fair and people-centred party. Corruption of any kind and excesses that alienate us from the people can never be condoned. Integrity, discipline and unity, concern for the people and clean governance must be synonymous with Zanu-PF. As provided for in our party constitution, we have a duty to boldly and decisively deal with those who put the name of the party into disrepute. Winning the hearts and minds of our people remains a critical role of every cadre and structure of the party.”
President Mnangagwa noted that major sectors of the economy had registered phenomenon growth.
“The agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism sectors are experiencing growth and the requisite diversification of the sub- sectors. Modernisation and industrialisation, including in rural areas, are now taking shape.”
The Government’s historic policy to provide tittle deeds to farmers is a huge milestone in cementing the land reform programme, which saw land being distributed to the black majority, who have been living in the periphery of white minority who owned large tracts of land.
For how much longer is government going to support farmers with inputs? Or is it now law?