Prosper Ndlovu in Victoria Falls
THE various initiatives that the Government has rolled out for the agriculture sector have potential to ensure national food sufficiency in four years, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said yesterday.
Key among them is the Targeted Command Agriculture scheme to involve about 2,000 farmers who would be given support to harvest at least 1,000 of maize each.
Addressing delegates who are attending the on-going Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce congress here VP Mnangagwa said the approach was part of the economic recovery efforts that are anchored on the country’s development blue-print, Zim-Asset and the 10-point plan that was enunciated by President Mugabe in August last year.
“Through various initiatives in agriculture the country aims to be food self-sufficient in just four seasons. Our agricultural strategy leverages on the vast tracks of agricultural land that Zimbabwe has, abundant water bodies and the country’s favourable climate,” said VP Mnangagwa.
Under the Targeted Command Agriculture which participating farmers will have to have access to at least 200ha of arable land each and work under irrigation.
“A distinct advantage about the project is that it is self-financing, with each participating farmer being required to commit five tonnes per hectare towards repayment of advanced loans in the form of irrigation equipment, inputs and chemicals, mechanised equipment, electricity and water charges. The farmer retains all surplus produce for personal use,” said VP Mnangagwa.
He said through the effective use of fertilizers, herbicides and efficient extension services, the country’s crop yields would improve significantly from the current average levels of 0,8 tonnes per hectare to about eight tonnes per hectare.
“With some 220,000 hectares of irrigated land available, Zimbabwe can achieve about 3,5 million tonnes of maize per annum (in two seasons), which is enough to feed Zimbabwe and to export,” said VP Mnangagwa.
He also said use of conservation agriculture would complement other strategies to improve A1 and communal farmers’ crop yields to something close to 2,5 tonnes per hectare from the current 0,5 tonnes per hectare.
These efforts would be supported by contract farming, especially in maize, tobacco, cotton and soya beans.
The VP also said upstream agricultural processing would be boosted to include fertiliser manufacturing, pesticides, seed and equipment and downstream processes such as grain, livestock and bio-fuels.
The government has come up with a national livestock strategy targeting resumption of beef exports to the European Union and the Middle East among others.
Cognisant of the erratic rains in the semi-arid parts of the country like Matabeleland South some 2,000ha is being cleared for irrigated grass are ARDA-Ingwizi, enough to feed 60,000 animals per annum, said VP Mnangagwa.