PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed reports that the
presidential input support scheme was a political gimmick and emphasised his
government’s commitment to continuously support the agricultural sector in
fulfilment of his vision to turn Zimbabwe into a middle-class economy by 2030.
In the run-up to the July 30 elections, Mnangagwa came
under fire for accelerating the distribution of free inputs to farmers, a move
which analysts interpreted as clear vote-buying, which was meant to tilt the
electoral playfield towards Zanu PF.
But Mnangagwa yesterday, while officially opening the 108th
edition of the Harare Agricultural Show, reiterated his government’s commitment
towards both the command agriculture and the presidential input support scheme,
at the same time underlining that this was not for political grandstanding.
“Let me once again reiterate my government’s commitment to
supporting command agriculture and the presidential inputs support scheme,”
Mnangagwa said.
“The distribution of inputs under this programme for the
2018-2019 agricultural season has already begun and should enable timely
planning on the part of farmers as well as result in increased production.
“These two programmes are not an election gimmick, they are
a fact of life to modernise and mechanise and secure food security for our
motherland.”
Owing to the two programmes, there has been remarkable
increase, especially in maize production, and government has since extended
command agriculture to livestock and wildlife production.
Mnangagwa, however, reminded agricultural sector players
that there was need for more innovative and scientific methods of practicing
agriculture in order to grow and improve competitiveness within the sector.
He said through both the presidential inputs support scheme
and command agriculture programmes, farmers should be encouraged to work harder
in order to realise growth in all agro-based industries.
“The bumper harvest we achieved in the last two summer
cropping seasons following the introduction of command agriculture and the
consolidation of the presidential inputs support scheme should inspire and
encourage the nation to work hard,” Mnangagwa said.
He also indicated plans to link provincial agricultural
economies to their gross domestic product as the country moved towards the
constitutional devolution of power and authorities.
Yesterday, scores of Zanu PF supporters wearing party
regalia got free passes into the agricultural show through the back gate
adjacent to Christ Embassy Church.
Elated Zanu PF supporters said under normal circumstances,
they would not have afforded paying to enter the exhibition.
“If it wasn’t for our beloved party (Zanu PF), we would not
have come here. We do not have the money to bring our children and our whole
family here. But when we saw the messages on our party WhatsApp group, we were
so happy because we then knew we could attend the show,” one the Zanu PF
supporters, who refused to identify himself, said.
This year’s entrance fees were pegged at $1 for children
under 12 years and $5 for anyone above.
Children with oversized Zanu PF T-shirts could be seen
queuing to get access into the show. Once inside, some of them removed the
ruling party’s regalia.
Chants like “ED pfee” were popular as the supporters were
so excited at being given VIP treatment and not paying entry fees. Newsday
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