Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has said Zimbabwean farmers must utilise the land they have so as to address the shortage of food, particularly wheat in the country.
He made the remarks when he toured Lozani farm in Kwekwe, Midlands Province this Friday. Speaking on wheat production, the former army boss said:
It can be done by smallholder irrigation schemes. It is my sincere hope that other farmers can emulate what we are seeing here. All farmers, as long as you have a piece of land with water nearby, let’s grow wheat.
It can be half an acre or one acre. If combined, we will meet the requirements of our country. Gone are the days when we were beggars. Let’s utilise the land we have.
He also commended the Ministry of Energy for prioritising the Agriculture sector, a decision that came after some power cuts compelled some farmers to shun winter wheat farming.
This year, the government earmarked 80 000 hectares for wheat production to address wheat shortages which resulted in acute bread shortages in the country particularly in 2019.
Zimbabwe has been failing to produce enough grain since the implementation of the fast track land reform programme two decades ago, a development that resulted in white farmers losing their farms.
More: ZBC News