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Prosper Ndlovu, Business Editor
THE Government is working on a framework to include livestock production under the command agriculture scheme, a specialised short to medium strategy to boost food production in the country.

The recently launched programme targets 400 000 hectares of land expected to produce at least two million tonnes of maize — enough to meet national grain requirements for the country. Of this targeted hectarage, 264 000 ha is dry land, while 136 000 ha is irrigable.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made revealed yesterday that drought-prone regions where crop production was not viable would receive support for improved livestock production.

“We have places such as Matabeleland North and South, parts of Midlands and southern parts of Manicaland that are suitable for livestock in general. Kuyabonakala ukuthi kulezondawo (it’s evident that in those places) there are very few crop growing activities except maybe irrigation schemes,” said the minister.

“So there has been a request that we include livestock under command agriculture. The livestock will not only include beef only. It will also include dairy, small stock such as goats, sheep, poultry and piggery. So, we are working on that programme. I have said that those who keep livestock have requested that a programme be put in place under command agriculture to cater for them.”

Dr Made said while the command agriculture scheme was meant to focus on maize import substitution, it has come to the Government’s realisation that a similar effort be put on livestock.

“That means we now have to relook at the scheme so that it includes livestock as well,” he said.

Minister Made was responding to a question in Parliament by MDC MP Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga who sought clarity on how the funding under command agriculture scheme relates to livestock producers, especially in the southern parts of the country.

The legislator said the command agriculture scheme, in its presentation, appears to exclude livestock farmers and asked the minister to explain how those farmers who need support could be assisted under the facility.

Already the Government has secured $150 million from the PTA bank to purchase highly-mechanised farming equipment for the command agriculture programme and dam construction, as efforts to ensure the nation’s food security gather momentum.

The equipment is expected in the country between December this year and January next year.

The programme has received a major boost from several private companies that committed to work towards its success. The Grain Millers’ Association and its stakeholders also came on board and promised to buy at least 800 000 tonnes of the two million tonnes of maize expected to be produced under the command agriculture programme this farming season.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said this week that the PTA loan facility would cover five sub-sectors of the economy, and was underpinned on ensuring that agriculture becomes the basis of industrialisation in the country. He said the programme has received overwhelming support hence it would also cover wheat and soya bean production.

Some of the companies that committed to work with Government on this scheme are Southern Region Trading Company, National Foods and PHI Commodities, among others.