The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Dr Anxius Masuka, has assured white commercial farmers who have benefited from offer letters and been allocated land on the same grounds as everyone else, that they have the full support of government and also warned potential land grabbers to keep their hands off these properties.
Dr. Masuka’s assertion supports the Second Republic’s commitment to shelter and provide land to Zimbabweans regardless of race.
He was speaking at Mr Luke Mutimutema’s house in Ward 10 in Hurungwe during his tour of community and commercial agricultural areas in the province to assess the condition of crops. The province, which received 360,000 hectares of maize, has so far planted 230,000 hectares with plans to beat the January 15 planting deadline and is expected to push the region even further.
“Agrarian reform is irreversible because that was the reason we went to war,” Minister Masuka said. The white farmers who had received offer letters and currently occupied the lands were the ones who supported the movement. Let me hasten to say that they should not be disturbed and that they have the full support of the government.
He warned those who dream of occupying white-owned farms and other state lands to desist from doing so.
He added that the long arm of the law would catch up with the tycoons of the land.
“The only person offering land in Zimbabwe is the president and those who have since taken over his role in allocating and occupying land must henceforth desist from doing so. The police are empowered to arrest these people,” he said, calling on those interested in acquiring land to register with His Ministry Dr. Masuka encouraged people to venture into partnerships which have proven to be a win-win situation for farm owners and investors.
He singled out a group of young farmers from Makonde and Zvimba regions who, despite having limited land, cultivate more than 1,000 hectares annually.
The Young Farmers Club, which includes the likes of Mike Mutasa, Tishona Mafuchi and Farai Chirinda, has planted at least 3,000 hectares of maize and sorghum, while Kudzai Mhandu has at least 35,000 broiler chickens.
Addressing the same gathering, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Delegation, Marian Chombo, took time to warn beneficiaries of various government input schemes to desist from selling agricultural inputs.
“We now have a challenge as some beneficiaries are now selling inputs obtained through government schemes on the black market. This affects the President’s vision to ensure the nation is self-sufficient in food,” she said.
She added that the province is ready to meet its needs for grains and other crops.
Ms Evelyn Ndoro, Director of Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS), Mashonaland West Region, said although delayed rainfall has affected the planting pattern, the province is working towards its target.
Like most farmers under Kambamura village management, Mr Mutimutema expects a bumper harvest this year among the nine plots of land planted with maize in Bvumvudza.
Since adopting climate-resilient agriculture five years ago, the Mutemutema family has increased their crop production on half a hectare to five tons from a maximum of one ton. Announce
