Government is accelerating dam construction and development of modern irrigation schemes to climate-proof agriculture under a comprehensive plan to guarantee food self-sufficiency, President Mnangagwa has said.
Already, more than 60 percent of the targeted 350 000
hectares is now under irrigation through the implementation of irrigation
development programmes to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The President was addressing thousands of ZANU PF
supporters at Beaulieu Toronto Primary School during victory celebrations for
Cde Misheck Mugadza, who won the Mutasa South National Assembly seat during the
March 26 by-elections.
Cde Mugadza beat Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)
candidate, Mr Regai Tsunga.
President Mnangagwa commissioned two classroom blocks and a
computer lab at the school.
The country, said the President, was on course to ensuring
adequate food production through rigorous climate change mitigation measures.
“We did not liberate this country to persecute people, but to empower them,” he said. “We want to ensure food security in the country through the full utilisation of our land.
“We know that we are facing climate change challenges, but
we are working round the clock to come up with solutions to address this.”
The Government, he added, was accelerating dam construction
and irrigation development.
“We have covered more than 60 percent of the land we want under irrigation. We have done our math to know the total hectarage that we want to be under maize and other grains so that we have enough food for our people with or without good rains.”
He said this year’s historic winter wheat production was
testament to the efficacy of irrigation-fed agricultural production.
Zimbabwe, he added, was projected to produce wheat to cover
domestic demand for over 13 months.
“Unlike in the past, we would produce wheat that would last
us three months and rely on imports mostly from Ukraine,” he added.
“There is conflict in Ukraine and this disrupted wheat
production in that country, spurring us into action and we are pleased with the
results.
“We should all utilise our land and not waste time fanning
violence.”
He warned against abuse of agriculture inputs presently
being distributed under various input support schemes, saying abusers will face
the full wrath of the law.
“The inputs schemes are meant to cushion our farmers,
especially those in rural areas. Those who abuse them and corruptly allocate
them will face the music. Let me warn you that if you are caught abusing these
inputs, you will regret it,” he said.
He called for value addition of all agriculture produce
through collaborating with university innovation hubs.
“In Bindura, university students are doing wonders there,”
he added.
“They are producing a lot of products among them soft
drinks, jam, yoghurt, soap and body lotion from masawu. In Mwenezi, they are
producing our local brand of amarula from mapfura and this is what we want to
happen across the country when we fully utilise resources around us.
“Youths in Mutasa should be fully productive in
horticulture and also come up with timber processing plants and factories that
we will support.”
Turning to next year’s harmonised elections, President Mnangagwa urged party supporters to register in their numbers and vote peacefully.
He said: “We want to ensure an overwhelming victory for the party next year. Hamuvarakashi chete, munovasvasvanga. Munosvasvanga vanhu through your votes.
“Youths should lead the massive win for ZANU PF and we should teach them to be patriotic and love their country. No foreigner will develop this country.
President Mnangagwa said the Government “will not hesitate
to kick out” non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating outside of their
mandate.
“We came up with the Private Voluntary Organisation
Amendment Bill to address this,” he added.
The President called on all churches to have their members’
children vaccinated against diseases like measles, which has claimed hundreds
of lives in Manicaland province.
He said while the ruling party enjoys a cordial working
relationship with the church, there was no excuse for churches to promote
vaccine hesitancy.
“There are so many churches in the country and we work very
well with them especially the indigenous ones which preach the gospel of unity
and love.
“They all support Government programmes, but everyone should ensure that all children are vaccinated. We want lives to be saved regardless of your religious beliefs.”
Manicaland recorded more than 3 000 measles cases and in
excess of 350 deaths since the outbreak of the highly contagious disease early
this year.
A Honde Valley family in Mutasa district lost seven
children to the disease after refusing medical help citing religious beliefs.
In response to the measles outbreak, the Government
deployed mobile vaccination teams targeting children between the ages of six
months and 15 years.
President Mnangagwa also donated 450 computers to 15
schools in Manicaland.
Yesterday’s event was attended by ZANU PF Vice President,
Cde Kembo Mohadi, zanu pf national chairperson, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri,
Cdes Mike Bimha, Patrick Chinamasa and Ministers Monica Mutsvangwa, Jenfan
Muswere and Mike Madiro among other senior Government officials. Sunday Mail
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