Zimpapers Logo

Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
GWANDA Central Member of Parliament Cde Edson Gumbo has challenged farmers in the district to emulate President Robert Mugabe and the First Lady by working hard for the country to improve food security.

Handing over farming machinery sourced under the Zimbabwe-Brazil More Food for Africa Programme — a tractor, a disc plough, disc harrow and a planter to farmers at River Block irrigation scheme in Gwanda district last Thursday, Cde Gumbo said there was a need for farmers to work hard for their country to ensure adequate food in the same manner as the President and the First Lady.

The farming equipment came as a relief to farmers at River Block as the 20-hectare irrigation scheme stopped functioning fully in 2011.

“I challenge you (farmers) to commit yourselves to this farming business, work hard as our President is doing because he doesn’t want to see anyone starving. We should therefore complement the efforts of the President and the government,” Cde Gumbo said. “You were given land, so utilise it productively. The only secret is for you to unite, work collectively as a team for you to succeed.

“We should work hard, pull together in the same direction so that we achieve the targets of Zim-Asset’s Food Security and Nutrition cluster. This scheme needs to grow so that more production takes place.”

As from 2012, the farmers have been relying mostly on rain water for their farming activities.

“You were given this land, so let’s use it productively for the success of the government’s programme. The First Lady will be coming here to see progress on the ground because you’ve been empowered with machinery,” Cde Gumbo added.

He encouraged farmers to maintain the equipment and to guard it jealously.

The scheme’s chairperson, Qhubile Moyo, said they were excited about being one of the beneficiaries of the government’s More Food for Africa programme and pledged to ensure its success.

“We will continue to support our government to enhance food availability in our area and in the country, we’re committed farmers,” she said.

Moyo, however, said they faced challenges with the pump and were seeking funding to install a new one.

She said a local bank had promised to give them a loan to buy inputs.

The area’s councillor, George Chipengo, thanked the government for supporting farmers in his area.

“We’re very grateful and thankful to the President. This is a living testimony of Zim-Asset,” he said.