Prison farms increase output

Remember Deketeke Herald Correspondent

Farms run by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) have been commended by the Government for building up their production, teaching prisoners skills so they are self-supporting on release and ensuring good diets for those still inside.

Speaking at the opening of the Correctional Industry Manufacturers VIP Lounge in Harare on Friday, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, praised the farming efforts of the service.

“I am pleased to say that through such efforts, Mazowe Prison Farm which is one of PQI (Pamberi Qhubekani Investments) business units where agribusiness activities are being undertaken, has become self-sufficient in terms of feeding inmates,” he said.

“The farm is also playing a crucial role in the successful rehabilitation of inmates through imparting agricultural knowledge and skills which are critical for their successful reintegration back into the society.”

Minister Ziyambi commended the achievements done by the ZPCS, especially as it had one of the best wheat harvests, helping make Zimbabwe self-sufficient.

He said under President Mnangagwa, the country continues to score positives in various economic spheres.

“The food security realm is one such area where we are now self-sufficient as a country on wheat production,” he said.

This year, Zimbabwe recorded its biggest wheat harvest since 1966 of 470 000 tonnes, which is over 110 000 more than the national annual requirement.

Minister Ziyambi said ZPCS Commissioner-General, Moses Chihobvu, should continue to be innovative to boost the standing and revenue of the service.

“Certainly, we are guaranteed to achieve more in terms of revenue generation to augment the fiscal gap and the enhancement of rehabilitation programmes for inmates, which is critical for their successful reintegration back into the society,” he said.

ZPCS Deputy Commissioner-General, Social Ndanga, said: “Today, we are witnessing one of the great efforts being done by Pamberi Qhubekani Investments as it continues to break new ground through public-private-partnership initiatives.

“The initiatives continue to record remarkable transformations in the organisation especially at Mazowe Prison Farm Business Unit where it has managed to place irrigation infrastructure to intensify agricultural production.”