Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba [email protected]
FARMERS in Mberengwa District in Midlands Province have received farming inputs under a new support scheme launched by the Zanu-PF affiliate Pastors for Economic Development (Pastors 4ED) in partnership with the Government.
The initiative is designed to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen the district’s contribution to national food security ahead of the forthcoming planting season.
The programme targets communal farmers, ensuring they have access to essential inputs in good time for land preparation and planting.
The community empowerment and sustainable development initiative complements the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030.
Pastors 4ED founding member Pastor Idirashe Dongo said the organisation was expanding its farming programmes to improve productivity and ensure food security at household level.
“By bringing safety nets closer to farmers in addressing drought mitigation and climate change, Pastors for ED is among stakeholders with remarkable interests in vast sustainable agriculture production, “ she said.
Pastor Dongo said the Mberengwa distribution marked the beginning of a wider national rollout targeting all provinces.
“We have launched the programme in Mberengwa as a mark to roll out a massive campaign throughout the country’s 10 provinces, where we are contributing inputs to farmers through various models,” she said.
“Our aim is to support the vision of the President. This initiative to avail these inputs early is to ensure farming is done early, even before the Government input programme begins, so we are complementing.”
She added that the intervention is aligned with existing Government programmes and will support rural communities in improving agricultural output and livelihoods.
Deputy Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development for Midlands
Province, Mr Zivanayi Matore, commended the initiative, describing it as an important contribution to food security.
“We fully support this programme, it is a noble cause, and it will go a long way in promoting agricultural activities as we await the next farming season. This will play a key role in alleviating food shortages faced by communal farmers,” he said.
Mr Matore noted partnerships with organisations such as Pastors 4ED are critical in extending support to more farmers and achieving national production targets.
Farmers in the district welcomed the assistance, saying early access to inputs would reduce production costs and improve preparedness for the season.
Mrs Stella Mwale expressed confidence that the programme would lead to increased yields and improved household incomes.
“We are hoping to increase our production, meaning we are going to have surplus for selling. We appreciate efforts by this affiliate group in assisting farmers with these inputs,” she said.
Mr Clever Mataga said the initiative reflects the Second Republic’s development philosophy of “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo.”
“We feel we are being recognised by the Government and its affiliates through such input distribution programmes.
This farming inputs support scheme is a positive move to make sure we are equipped with farming inputs ahead of the summer cropping season,” he said.
