Zimpapers Logo

Wallace Ruzvidzo, Harare Bureau

ZIMBABWE has seemingly won the war against hunger and food insufficiency on the back of sound policies and critical infrastructure development as the country moves an inch closer to attaining its breadbasket status.

Under President Mnangagwa’s administration, there has been a major drive to capacitate the agriculture sector while creating an enabling environment for its flourishing.

Zimbabwe is an agro-based economy and consequently key infrastructure continues to be rehabilitated and constructed with the Second Republic overseeing the construction of 12 large dams since 2018, which are set to increase production in the agriculture sector.

The dam construction is being accelerated with the objective of putting at least 350 000 hectares under irrigation by 2025 as Zimbabwe adopts to climate change and moves from reliance on rainfed agriculture.

Farmers across the country have registered their appreciation for the work being done by the Second Republic to ensure sustained food self-sufficiency with the eventual aim of being net exporters of agricultural produce.

Since its inception, President Mnangagwa’s administration has instituted cross-cutting game changing projects across the length and breath of the country as the President leaves no one and no place behind.

A staggering US$1 billion has been set aside by Government for the construction of the 12 “high impact” dams with Gwayi Shangani dam in Matabeleland North Province, which is the flagship, already 70 percent complete.

President Mnangagwa recently commissioned Chivhu dam in Mashonaland East Province and Muchekeranwa Dam near Marondera has already been completed.

Other dams currently under construction include Sema Dam in Rushinga, Ziminya Dam in Matabeleland North and Vungu Dam in Midlands Province, which will all spur the country’s agricultural prowess.

All these will surely aid to Zimbabwe’s attainment of an upper-middle income economy by 2030.

A record wheat harvest is also on the cards. This winter wheat planting season is expected to surpass last season’s record harvest.

The country is set to register two consecutive wheat production records for the first time since production of the cereal started in the country in 1966. Both these records have been registered under President Mnangagwa’s astute leadership.

Wheat production is set to reach 420 000 tonnes, well beyond the 375 000 tonnes of the cereal produced last year. Zimbabwe requires a minimum of 360 000 tonnes for its self-sufficiency and this year’s production is evidence that the country is on course to achieving its target of being an exporter of the cereal soon.

All these gains are being registered on the back of an enabling, conducive environment that has been created by the Second Republic as it has remained true to its word on leading the country on an exponential growth trajectory.

Maize production also continues on a growth trajectory as the country has more than five and a half months’ supply of the grain with the bulk of the summer cropping season produce currently being mopped up and delivered.

The Second Republic is also accelerating plans to grow the country’s national herd to 6 million, from the current 5,5 million cattle.

All these successes are as a result of President Mnangagwa’s agricultural growth recovery plan which has proved to be solid and action oriented.

“We were importing food from other countries. We realised that here in Zimbabwe we have very good soils and rivers with abundant water resources.

“We have resolved the question of food security.

“For the past three years we have been food secure and the grain that we have is enough for everyone,” said President Mnangagwa while addressing multitudes at the Zanu PF election campaign launch in Chipinge last Saturday.

President Mnangagwa has assured the nation that the country will never be food insecure under his watch and from the evidence prevailing on the ground there is no reason to doubt the new dawn that the country is being ushered into by the trailblazing Head of State.

“From now on, we know that this country will never again be food insecure.

“Even here we have our trinity- Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo; igotongwa nevene vayo; igonamatirwa nevene vayo,” said President Mnangagwa.

The continued reassuring and action being spearheaded by the President only goes to show that indeed Zimbabwe has successfully won the war against hunger permanently.

The only way is up for the country as it surely retains its breadbasket status and achieves Vision 2030.