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Sydney Mubaiwa in Zaka
The Presidential Inputs Support Scheme being rolled out by Government is set to increase productivity in the agricultural sector and boost food security at household level, an official has said.
Zanu-PF’s national Political Commissar Cde Engelbert Rugeje said there was no country in the world that could successfully produce enough food for its people without support from government.
He was speaking during a campaign rally to drum up support for the ruling party’s Presidential candidate President Mnangagwa and Zaka North constituency candidate Cde Robson Mavhenyengwa at Mutimwi Business Centre on Wednesday.
Cde Rugeje said the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme helped to improve food security in Zaka district where adverse weather conditions had previously affected yields.
“It is very critical for Government to support both commercial and small-scale farmers to enhance productivity and food security,” he said.
“I want to thank the President for successfully launching the programme early to give our farmers ample time to prepare for the cropping season.
“This time we want our farmers to make effective use of the first rains so that their crops won’t be affected by the dry spell. No country in the world can produce enough food for its citizens in the absence of government support.
“The initiative by the Head of State and Government is commendable.
“This is a step towards good governance and a true reflection of servant leadership. Let us safeguard this kind of a leader who is serious about making the agrarian reform a great success by voting for Zanu-PF on Monday next week.”
Cde Rugeje said it was very important for governments to subsidise implements and capacitate their farmers to improve self-sustenance.
“There cannot be any meaningful agricultural productivity if governments do not subsidise farmers,” he said.
“Farmers will always require support from the Government for them to be productive on the land.
“You will also note that the United States is one of the countries in the world which gives massive support to its farmers.”
Cde Rugeje said the country had the capacity to reform its agriculture sector, considering that newly-resettled farmers were productive even though they had limited resources.
He said Zimbabweans should vote for President Mnangagwa to enable him to accomplish his mission of seeing the country developing into a middle income economy by 2030.
Cde Rugeje said President Mnangagwa’s few months in office had been fruitful, especially in addressing socio-economic issues.
He reiterated the need for the electorate to observe and maintain peace during the polls.
Online Reporter