Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure and Zvamaida Murwira
ZIMBABWE expects a bumper harvest from the 2024-2025 farming season after receiving normal to above-normal rainfall that saw most farmers getting better yields than last season, President Mnangagwa has said.
He implored wheat farmers to work hard to register a better crop and help meet national targets.
The President, who is also the Zanu-PF First Secretary, said this yesterday while addressing the 383rd Ordinary Session of the revolutionary party’s Politburo session.
“We are expecting yet another bumper harvest from the 2024-2025 season. The growth of the national livestock herd is also applauded.
“I urge farmers and stakeholders in the sector to ensure an equally successful winter wheat season,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector has registered phenomenal growth on the back of several programmes introduced by the Second Republic aimed at attaining food self-sufficiency.
In a bid to boost agricultural production, President Mnangagwa has empowered youths with machinery to boost output.
He commissioned new tractors and combine harvesters for young farmers, covering half of the total cost of the machinery as part of efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and food security.
The initiative is aimed at empowering young farmers to play a key role in national food production.
Further, the President recently commissioned and handed over tipper trucks to youths from various provinces under the Presidential Youth Fund.
In the agriculture sector, President Mnangagwa said, the adoption of high technology and modernisation of the grain storage facilities is set to consolidate national food security and sovereignty.
He highlighted that the recent commissioning of the Artificial Intelligence enabled GMB grain silos in Kwekwe will have far reaching impact on climate change mitigation strategies.
President Mnangagwa also commended Midlands for successfully hosting the 45th Independence celebrations in Gokwe, and Bulawayo, which hosted the 65th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
“Despite the heavy rainfall we experienced, our people braved the weather to attend the main commemorations in Nembudziya, Gokwe, and in other venues across the country.
“I commend Bulawayo Province for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to our visitors at the 65th edition of the ZITF, including this year’s guest of honour, the President of Mozambique Daniel Chapo,” said President Mnangagwa.
Turning to party business, he said that as a mass revolutionary party, Zanu PF continued to demonstrate strength and popularity in rural and urban communities.
He congratulated Harare province and party members in Glen View South Constituency for winning the seat from the opposition in the recently held by-elections.
The country will soon hold other by-elections in Gutu East, Insiza North and Chipinge Ward 5.
Primary elections have already been held to select those who will represent the party in Gutu East and Insiza North.
President Mnangagwa said the recently held Zanu-PF primary elections in Gutu-East and Insiza North were in line with the party’s Constitution and sustained internal democratic culture.
Meanwhile, Zanu-PF is recording an increase in membership, a development welcomed by the President.
President Mnangagwa also said it was critically important that cadres and deployees assigned to leadership positions and strategic national duties remain loyal, patriotic and committed to wholeheartedly serve the people
Further, he highlighted that women and youths, as well as professionals from across the socio-economic spectrum, should find a comfortable home in the mass revolutionary party.
“I expect that the dynamic and diversity of skills as well as competencies emerging from the composition of our membership will enable cells/villages, branches, districts and provinces to be better equipped and more responsive to the needs of communities.
“This must ultimately accelerate the realisation of our party objectives and Vision 2030,” said President Mnangagwa.
He urged members to remain united and focus on developing the nation.
“Collectively, united and focused, as one people, with one common vision, let us consistently and persistently advance the interests of our nation and party,” he said.
Zanu-PF, as a people’s party, embraces all and represents everyone.
“As we continue marching forward, unity and peace are indispensable ingredients for national development,” he said.
The President hailed party members and the people of Zimbabwe for repeatedly demonstrating that they will never fall to the whims and caprices of the country’s detractors.
“Well done to you all. Se musangano we Zanu-PF tinotenda ruzhinji rweZimbabwe, nerunyararo uye nekubatana. (As Zanu-PF party we thank the majority of Zimbabweans for the peace and unity). “Under our national flag and indeed the eternal flame of our independence and freedom, we are ensuring that all our endeavours, across the various sectors of the economy, are contributing to the attainment of Vision 2030. Ngatirambei tichivaka nyika yekwedu (Let us continue developing our nation),” he said.
The President added that the Zanu PF-led Government is facilitating the implementation of policies, projects and programmes that benefit all communities and improve the quality of life of the general populace.
The Politburo observed a minute of silence in honour of the three late gallant freedom fighters who also contributed significantly after independence.
The three are Brigadier-General (Rtd) Victor Rungani, Cde Walter Basopo and Air Vice Marshal (Rtd) Winnie Cabby Mandeya, who died and were buried at the national Heroes Acre recently.
