Dr Mombeshora
Conrad Mupesa Mash West correspondent
THOUSANDS of farmers in Mhangura constituency were recently allocated maize seed while thousands more are expected to benefit under a programme being rolled out in all provinces ahead of the 2017-18 summer cropping season. Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement Dr Douglas Mombeshora recently told hundreds of farmers gathered at Wildenne Farm in Mhangura that the Presidential Input Scheme, which is an initiative of President Mugabe, is expected to benefit 1,8 million peasant farmers countrywide to ensure food sustenance and eradicate dependency syndrome as the inputs are free.
“It was noticed that Zimbabwe has about 1,8 million families and these families regardless of location will be allocated inputs enough to cover a hectare for free and they are not to repay. Government will allocate each family a 10kg of maize seed, 10kg soya-bean seed, a 50kg bag of compound D fertiliser and one bag of Ammonium Nitrate,” Dr Mombeshora said. He also warned farmers to desist from selling inputs given to them by the President but rather multiply the inputs through farming. Zanu PF councillor for Ward 11 in Mhangura constituency and Makonde Rural District Council chairperson Cde Davet Muzvidzwa encouraged beneficiaries of the scheme to be responsible.
“Farmers should be responsible and honour President Mugabe by planting those inputs to be food secure.” He said farmers should report those selling the inputs to responsible authorities for indictment. Dr Mombeshora said allocation of inputs will be done in batches with the first batch having benefited already through allocation of maize seed in all the wards in Mhangura constituency. Zanu-PF chairmen for Mhangura 1 and 2 districts Cde Misheck Paradzanwa and Cde Nickson Maguvaza indicated in separate interviews that people had started receiving the inputs and registration for fertiliser was currently underway. Dr Mombeshora also hinted that the Government is finalising Command Livestock Production, which will also help to revive the economy through beef exports.
“Command Livestock Production will not only cater for domestic animals but wild animals as well, which have become a target of many poachers. The Government will soon educate the people about livestock production and funds will be availed to those hoping to venture in the new initiative. Government hopes to export beef to countries like Britain where there is huge demand to get foreign currency,” he said. He later urged people to register to vote in the Biometric Voter Registration exercise currently underway. The old voters’ role no longer exists, I urge you all to go and register so that you will be able to vote in the 2018 harmonised elections. Those without identification documents should also take the opportunity to visit Registrar-General mobile stations and get them for free,” he said.