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The journey to self-sufficiency

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THE heavens smiled on us and we received good rains, most parts of the country even some dry regions got above normal rains.
Our farmers countrywide have a reason to smile.
Some might have faced challenges, but the input scheme programme availed by President Robert Mugabe and other well wishers ensured that at least every household put something into the ground.
We expect a bumper harvest.
And the harvesting is still ongoing and some are already done.
In the villages people are running around repairing and sprucing up storage facilities that had in a long time not functioned for there was nothing to store.
The same is happening in towns around the country.
Urban farmers were also beneficiaries of the input support programme and they have not disappointed, many will get a bag or two of maize.
In the past seasons we have not done so well and have resorted to imports to ensure food security in the country.
But this year we have an opportunity to begin the journey to self-sufficiency.
A bumper harvest means a lot of things for us as a nation.
Most important is that it will ensure food security and lessen the burden on Government.
It means that maize imports will be reduced and the import bill that has ballooned over the years will somewhat decrease.
It is important to note that every dollar that the nation can save is critical; it is money that will be deployed to other areas of desperate need.
We now appeal to the relevant authorities to ensure that farmers are paid in good time.
The good rains we received and the input support schemes that were put in place must reap huge dividends.
If all parties deliver the country will be the ultimate winner.
Paying farmers on time will boost growth that is being experienced in the agricultural sector.
Farmers have in the past performed poorly not because of lack of skill but of resources.
If farmers get their dues they will be in a position to buy their inputs and not rely on Government and well wishers.
There comes a time when a child is weaned from the breast of the mother and for our farmers the weaning off time must begin now.
But they must be paid and become self-sufficient.
And the payment must be timely so that they can go back to the fields and prepare for the summer cropping season that will soon be upon us.
Suggestions to pay farmers with inputs for products delivered might not be the best.
Farmers like everyone else are in business and inputs alone will not enable them to take care of their various needs.
Land preparation and labour requires a lot of capital and the farmers have other needs that cannot be taken care of by inputs.
We must take advantage of our good fortunes making the most of them.
At the recently held 23rd African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, calls were made to avail land especially to women and youths and prioritise agricultural activities for sustainable development and growth of the continent.
And Zimbabwe made a presentation sharing experiences of the Land Reform Programme.
Naysayers may say what they want, but this is an acknowledgement that what we are doing with regards to our land and agriculture is worth taking note of.
Our ducks are in line, all we have to do is build on the successes we have recorded.

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