via ‘We don’t support invasion of dairy farms’ | The Herald December 4, 2013

GOVERNMENT is against the invasion of dairy farms as this has resulted in decreased milk production, forcing the country to rely on South Africa for supplies, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister responsible for Livestock, Cde Paddy Zhanda has said.Speaking during a meeting with dairy farmers in the Midlands on Monday, Cde Zhanda said the invasion of dairy farms was against national  interest.

“We want the production of milk to improve and we want to support our local farmers.

“As Government we want local dairy farmers to be able to meet the local demand for milk so that we can stop importing milk from South Africa.

“We want dairy farms to be spared at the moment to ensure we boost our milk production. We also want to facilitate the issuing of offer letters to dairy farmers to avoid illegal invasions,” he said.

Cde Zhanda criticised politicians who illegally settle people on farms without taking proper procedures for political mileage.

“We have heard of situations where illegal settlers occupy land without putting national interest first. We have a similar situation at Carfex farm in Kadoma.

“We advise politicians not to resettle people on their own because it will create problems in the long run.

“People must not be a liability in future. I have engaged Dr Douglas Mombeshora over the matter to make sure it is resolved amicably,” he   said.

Dr Mombeshora is the Lands and Rural Resettlement   Minister.

Cde Zhanda said commercial farmers required adequate support to ensure maximum utilization of land and avoid food imports.