The Sunday News
Updates by: Vusumuzi Dube
Dashboard: Mayibongwe Madlela
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14:00 – VP Chiwenga ends his speech by officially launching the programme
13:50 – I must forewarn officials who would want to abuse this facility and use these resources for their own selfish gains. They should stop this selfishness. Corruption will be fought vigorously, we don’t care who you are in society, we will deal with you effectively. We want Zimbabwe to be open for business
13:45 – As government we are confident that this programme will go a long way in reviving the country’s agric sector. The beef value chain which will come out because of this facility will go a long way in helping revive the Cold storage commission which is a key industry in our country. Good corporate governance is a key aspect for any programme to succeed hence constant monitoring and evaluation will be done by the government
13:30 – In the first phase of artificial insemination we hope to have 6000 semen straws which will be injected on 3600 cows with an expected yield of 1800 bulls and 1800 heifers. In the second phase we expect to have 16000 semen straws. We envisage this artificial insemination programme will go a long way in increasing the national herd
13:25 – We also made sure that we consult university professors and academics who are busy researching so that they they give us the best possible farming methods so that we get the best yields thereby uplifting our economy.
13:24 – “The President has made it clear that we want every Zimbabwean to be the same. No one should be poor which is why we are coming here to launch thus programme” – VP Chiwenga
13:17 – To support this particular programme Sakunda has put in $10 million and two million chicks per month for the poultry sector. Out of the initial $10 million we took a deliberate decision that this figure will be divided between the two Matabeleland provinces noting that these provinces did not benefit much in command agriculture first phase facility
13:13 – The new dispensation implored that ministers hit the ground running and deliver in the first 100 days. What we need to know is government alone can not do it and succeed
13:10 – I am happy to be part of this programme today. This launch is key as it comes at a time when we are all working at reviving our country’s economy
13:05 – VP Chiwenga now takes the podium to give his keynote address
13:00 – Rtd Air Chief Marshal Shiri now introducing the guest of honour VP Chiwenga
12:57 – My Ministry is also tasked with finding means pf preventing diseases and how we curb them so that they don’t affect our livestock
12:56 – Another lesson is that when you are told that when given a loan you have to pay back please do that when the time comes because when you don’t pay back no one will want to borrow you next time when you want to borrow. Let us not forget that this is a revolving fund therefore a lot of us must surely benefit. As the government we will continue looking for companies who will channel funds to this programme so that it succeeds. We will also look for companies to train you so that you get the best possible yields.
12:54 – If you thought that as people from Matabeleland you were left out the time has come for you to take advantage of this programme. We all have to play a role in uplifting our own economy…..our motto is “wasala wasala,” we are here to work, it is all up to you to take full advantage of this programme. The only advice I can give you is that please listen to the advice given to you by your agriculture experts and you will surely succeed in this programme
12:47 – After seeing the success of command agriculture, the govt realised there was a section of agriculture that had been overlooked, this being livestock. The government also added fishery and wildlife. Taking from th success of command agriculture the government then came up with command livestock,fisheries and wildlife
12:45 – Using the model of command agriculture, the government looked for companies to work with and Sakunda, Zimplats and Zimbabwean Agriculture Society answered the call
12:43 – “This is one of the reasons government came up with the command agriculture programme, this was not about farmers being commanded like soldiers but t was a strategic form of agriculture where the government worked with farmers and input companies and work together to boost our agriculture output. It is the success of this programme which saw us having wonderful yields last farming season” – Rtd Air Chief Marshal Shiri
12:42 – Our production had been reduced to unprecedented levels, this was worsened by the sanctions imposed on our country
12:39 – We all know that a few years back we experienced drought, surviving only by importing grain
12:37 – Rtd Air Chief Marshal Shiri now addressing the delegates
12:36 – “We are honoured to host such respectable delegates led by VP Chiwenga” – Cde Ncube
12:34 – Ncube will give opening remarks and thereafter invite Minister Rtd Air Chief Marshal Shiri to address the delegates
12:30 – Mat South Provincial minister Cde Abednico Ncube now addressing delegates
11:39 – VP Chiwenga arriving at the venue. He is now in a briefing with Mat South provincial officials, senior government officials and key stakeholders.
09:40 – Dignitaries trickling in at the venue of the event in Gwatemba, Insiza as they await the arrival of guest of honour VP General Constantino Chiwenga (Rtd)
Also expected to be part of the proceedings is Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Air Chief Marshal Perence Shiri (Rtd)
