Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
A WELL-COORDINATED working relationship between Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution and the lands and agriculture ministry is crucial for the country’s food and nutrition security, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka said this during a today meeting in Mutare with provincial ministers.
The meeting, which aimed to foster coordination and interaction, was attended by several provincial ministers, including Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, his counterparts Honourable Marian Chombo, and Advocate Mike Ndudzo.
Other ministers were represented by their Secretaries for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs Minister, Honourable Monica Mavhunga also attended to ensure the voice of ex-combatants was heard in discussions on land and agricultural issues.
Effective collaboration between these ministries is vital to address the country’s food and nutrition challenges, and by working together, they can develop and implement policies that promote agricultural development, food security, and sustainable use of natural resources.
“When you report to President Emmerson Mnangagwa about operations in your provinces, you should highlight agriculture and funding gaps that could accelerate uplifting people out of poverty towards Vision 2030. 9.2 million people, which is 62 percent of the population, reside in eight rural provinces, and in terms of Vision 2030, we must leave no one and no place behind. For the first time we have the provincial planning meetings so that whatever we do is contextual and relevant to people of Zimbabwe.
“Our mandate is assuring and ensuring the nation food security and sovereignty. Food sovereignty is very critical as we have seen disruptions caused by pandemics, macro-economic shocks, conflicts and supply chain disruptions,” said Minister Masuka.
Minister Mugadza said Manicaland is making significant strides in agriculture, surpassing set targets.
He also said there are four high impact irrigations projects at commissioning stage in the province.
“Manicaland is a hub of agriculture and we are proud to showcase our achievements. Our maize crop is thriving, and the planted area surpassed the set target by three percent. We had targeted 84 000 hectares under Pfumvudza but we hit 100 535ha.
“Our irrigation programmes are viable, and we are committed to sharing knowledge and resources to expand these even further. We have four high impact irrigation projects at Romsely Irrigation Scheme (364ha), Cashel Valley (602ha), Chibuwe (367ha) and Musikavanhu (570ha) – all waiting to be commissioned by President Mnangagwa,” said Minister Mugadza.
