Chronicle Editor
Takunda Maodza Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mugabe has pledged to fund and mechanise the agriculture sector to ensure food security for the nation, saying farmers were deliberately suffocated by the inclusive Government that did not give them support during its four-year tenure.Officially opening the 103rd edition of the Harare Agricultural Show yesterday, the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces underscored the need to address the necessities of the farming community.
“Mechanisation is critical for increased production and productivity. To this end, the Government will secure funding facilities and continue to pursue appropriate mechanisation programmes that will address the needs of the farming community.
“Tichiva nehurongwa hwekuti tibatsire varimi kuti nesimba ravanaro, nepfungwa dzavanadzo vawane zvavanoda zvokushandisa. Vanenge vachizobudirira kupinda ranhasi vachizoita nyika yedu kuti iwane hupfumi hunobva kumbeswana dzakasiyana siyana.”
President Mugabe condemned MDC-T’s attitude towards agriculture during the tenure of the inclusive Government, with outgoing Finance Minister Tendai Biti preferring to import wheat instead of supporting local farmers.
“Saka ndizvo zvatichange tichiita izvi. Zvanezuro zvekuti dai agriculture yafondoka varungu vagodzoka tigova nekuratidza mhuri yeZimbabwe kuti maonaka musina varungu hapana chamunogona. Izvo ndezva vanhu zvimbwasungata zvisina kurumurwa muzamu revarungu. Vakayamwiswa nanamisisi, vanoda kuramba vachiyamwa zamo ramisisi,” he said.
President Mugabe said Zimbabweans were liberated from colonial mentality and all they required was Government support.
“Aiwa, vanhu vedu takavarumura, takavasunungura tikati masimba ava enyu rubatsiro rwuchange rwuchiuya kwamuri. Ko, ndizvozvatinoda kwete kuti tisevenzere rimwe bhunu rabva zvaro kwatisingazive kuti rakazvarwa sei, kwete,” he said.
The President said Government had developed multi-sectoral strategies in line with the Food and Nutrition Security Policy to alleviate the effects of the vagaries of climate change.
These involve enhancing the development of drought-tolerant and short-term season crop varieties, the rehabilitation and development of irrigation infrastructure, promotion and adoption of technologies like conservation agriculture as well as promotion of water harvesting and water conservation techniques.
He said Government was also supportive of innovative programmes targeted at re-greening the environment through such programmes as tree planting and re-afforestation.
“In order to mitigate the effects of hunger, the Government is mobilising grain from areas of surplus to needy areas.
“In addition, measures have been put in place to import grain from neighbouring countries.
“Going forward, it is Government’s intention to ensure food self-sufficiency for the nation,” President Mugabe said.
He said the 2012/2013 farming season experienced mixed fortunes characterised by late rains and prolonged mid-season dry spells due to climate change adversely affecting the performance of crops like maize and soya beans.
Poor prices, on the other hand, affected crops such as cotton.
President Mugabe said it was pleasing to note that other crops such as tobacco continued on an upward trend significantly contributing to agricultural growth and foreign currency earnings.
“In this regard, 163 million kilogrammes of flue-cured tobacco valued at US$602 million had been sold as at 23 July 2013, that is, before the mop-up sales in early August. In keeping with the empowerment policies of Government, over 80 percent of the tobacco producers numbering over 65 000, are smallholder farmers who are beneficiaries of the land reform programme,” he said.
There is also a positive change in the livestock sector with cattle population currently standing at 5.3 million.
“This is a two percent increase from last year’s figure of 5.2 million. As a result, cattle off-take increased from 3.5 percent in the 2011/2012 season to six percent in the 2012/2013 season.
“Milk production increased by eight percent from 51 million litres in 2011 to 56 million litres in 2012. This growth is set to continue in 2013,” President Mugabe said.
The production of piggery, goats and poultry also continued to improve.
President Mugabe said to improve performance in livestock production and productivity there was a need for enhanced management and provision of support services such as dipping, disease surveillance and veterinary drugs.
This year’s agricultural show is running under the theme “Environmental, Entrepreneurial, and Educational Development” and saw exhibitors from countries as far as Iran, Italy, Ghana, among others, participating.
Online Reporter