The Sunday News
Valencia Ndhlovu, Sunday News Reporter
COMMUNITIES have been urged to play an active role in ensuring that the country attains food and nutrition security as one of the key pillars envisioned under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
NDS1 is anchored on the Agricultural and Food Systems Transformation Strategy which seeks to achieve a US$8,2 billion agriculture economy by 2025 capable of propelling the country towards Vision 2030. However, the target has been reached already as the industry value rose by 36,2 percent to US$8,19 billion in 2022.
In a speech read on his behalf by Matobo North constituency development officer, Mr Thokoza Hlongwane at a field day hosted by Mr Nkosilathi Mkwananzi in Mncwazini Village in Figtree on Wednesday, Member of Parliament for Matobo North, Cde Edgar Moyo said agriculture was one of the key sectors of the country’s economy.
Cde Edgar Moyo
“President Mnangagwa has envisioned Vision 2030 of an upper-middle-economy and agriculture is at the centre of it. This field day is a noble initiative that is in line with the NDS1 which is being rolled out by Government. Food and nutrition security is one of the key pillars under NDS1 and to that effect, the Government is supporting the agriculture sector through programmes such as Command Agriculture and the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme.”
His Excellency, President E D Mnangagwa
Cde Moyo who is also the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education challenged the communities to play an active role in ensuring the growth of the agriculture sector. He said as witnessed already under the Second Republic programmes being spearheaded by the Government in the sector were bearing great success and fruition.
“The displays that we have witnessed today at the Mkwananzi homestead and fields are a practical illustration of the massive agricultural and mechanisation programmes that are being implemented by the Second Republic in the agriculture sector.”
Mr Mkwananzi came first among the five best farmers in the area.
“I am very happy to have won the farmers’ competition and the field day turned out to be a good initiative. I am very grateful to the Government for giving us the necessary inputs for us to be able to farm and sustain ourselves,” he said.
He said the country was regaining its breadbasket status and reaching greater heights through the support of President Mnangagwa’s programmes. Matobo District Ward 25, Councillor, Sibonginkosi Dube encouraged people to attend such programmes so that they acquire more farming knowledge.
“As you saw there was a question-and-answer session where people were asking questions concerning farming. This way they can get more knowledge and learn a lot of techniques they can use in their fields.”
She said the field day was used to educate people about agriculture to avert hunger where villagers assemble and select people who would compete. Agricultural extension officer, Mr Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa said they encouraged people to attend such programmes that teach about Pfumvudza/Intwasa, an initiative that even when the rains were less, people were able to get something to feed their families. He said as Agritex they have contributed a lot towards to the success of agriculture through offering training to villagers and also engage in door-to-door visits.
