Mavhaire urges farmers to be self-reliant

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Addressing farmers at a field day at Mhukahuru Farm in Masvingo at the weekend, Cde Mavhaire challenged both communal and resettled farmers to shun the dependence syndrome and take agriculture seriously.

Cde Mavhaire, who is the Zanu-PF secretary for production and labour, said the land reform programme could only be successful if both communal and resettled farmers take farming as a serious business.

“Let us all take advantage of the land reform programme so that as Zimbabweans we enjoy what we fought for during the war of liberation and it is high time our farmers desist from being over reliant on Government for inputs every year,” he said.

“We can only become successful farmers if we take farming as a serious business.’’
Cde Mavhaire expressed dismay that most farmers waited for Government to provide inputs such as fertiliser and seed.

He said beneficiaries of the land reform programme could only thank President Mugabe for giving them land by optimally working on the land and increasing agricultural production.

“The only way to say thank you to President Mugabe for the land he gave us is to make sure that we fully utilise the land he gave us,” said Cde Mavhaire.

“We can no longer afford to continue relying on Government assistance and handouts to feed ourselves, yet we were given land, what more can we ask for, we need to work on the land.’’

Cde Mavhaire said Zimbabweans waged the war of liberation that swept away the colonial government for self-determination and control of key resources such as land.

“We did not defeat Ian Smith and his racist regime so that we could become beggars in our own country who cannot grow their own food,” he said.

“We have to work hard on the land and produce sufficient food for ourselves.’’
Cde Mavhaire warned people to shun political parties whose candidates only come with packets of food during election time.

He said people were supposed to vote for a political party with a principled leadership and clear policies that benefit the majority.

The field day was organised by Pannar Seeds and Nico Orgo Fertiliser Company who were showcasing their products at the farm owned by prominent Masvingo businessman and farmer Mr Pascal Mudzikisi.