The ManicaPost
Local agricultural firms have been urged to partner Government in the Command Agriculture special programme, which is expected to produce 2 million tonnes of maize through the utilisation of 400 000 hectares land. The Command Agriculture special programme seeks to reduce grain imports by encouraging farmers to produce maize locally.
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said local companies have indicated that they have the capacity to support the programme through supplying the necessary inputs needed for farming.
“Currently we are happy that we are at an advanced stage of negotiating facilities that are needed for the programme for the coming season and private sector companies want to support the programme because it is guaranteed because they are assured of a return on their investment.
“The companies, which were present today have expressed gratitude that this programme will see a stimulation of the economy because it increases sales of the suppliers,” he said.
He added that the programme comes after Government noticed that Zimbabwe has the capacity to produce its maize through use of local resources such as land, water and its hard working people.
This was said during a press conference to update on the achievements which have been so far in implementing the Command Agriculture special programme.
“We are quite advanced in securing funds for the programme this is a cost recovery programme there is nothing that is given for free.
“We realise that with the 5 tonnes per hectare a farmer has the capacity to pay for the facilities that he or she uses for the production of the maize,” he said.
In his remarks during the same event Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made said fertilizer and seed companies have secured enough seeds for the programme.
“The seeds houses have 40 000 tonnes of seeds for this season and the seed varies from short team to mid-season varieties and they have adequate seeds for the programme going forward. The fertiliser companies have also done the same they have indicated that currently they are sitting on 60 000 tonnes of top dressing fertilizers and 40 000 of compounds which is sufficient to kick start the programme,” he said.
He added that Government has also acquired machinery which is on its way from different countries supporting the programme.
“The equipment that was secured from Brazil, China and Brussels will be paid by beneficiaries through the programme,” he said. – New Ziana.
