Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has implored the government to capacitate local farmers to ensure the country achieves national food security.
The President was speaking during an interaction with legislators from across the political divide at his Precabe Farm in Kwekwe this Sunday.
Legislators from ZANU PF and the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) requested to visit the First Family’s Precabe Farm and the request was granted.
The members of Parliament were taken on a tour of the farm as President Mnangagwa and the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa hosted them, with traditional leaders also part of the delegation.
Addressing the legislators, the Head of State said the ability of a nation to feed itself places it on a better footing to ensure improved livelihoods.
“The first thing is the ability of a country to feed itself. Once a country can feed itself, it earns respect as it won’t be looking elsewhere. I am happy that Zimbabwe has the capacity to feed itself. The government’s role is to facilitate that. It’s cheaper for us to capacitate every single farmer to produce than not capacitate them and import. We do our best to make sure we support our farming sector,” said the President.
President Mnangagwa also outlined plans to increase hectarage under irrigation to climate-proof the country’s agriculture sector.
“We can always mitigate against the impact of climate change. We have made plans to ensure that when there is severe drought we have enough hectarage under irrigation, that process is going on.”
Traditional leaders including Chiefs Siansali and Mtshane Khumalo were impressed with the work being done by the First Family.
Meanwhile, various legislators were unanimous in their calls for President Mnangagwa to lead the nation beyond 2028.
Citizens Coalition for Change Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu spoke on extending President Mnangagwa’s term of office.
“We are here as a family to contest the status quo. If we improve your stay in power and the people of Zimbabwe are happy, let it be, Your Excellency. Your Excellency, we have seen in nations like South Africa, Malema will oppose Cyril Ramaphosa and they will go and joke in the morning. We should be playing and singing together as Zimbabweans. Whatever is good should be celebrated, whatever is wrong should be condemned.
“This is the reason why we came here to embrace what you have done on your farm. When I walk out here I will face criticism; it doesn’t matter because it improves us as Zimbabweans. I have no doubt that this Parliament led by Jacob Mudenda the Speaker will bring the people of Zimbabwe together,” Tshabangu said.
The legislators concurred on the need to allow President Mnangagwa to see through the implementation of Vision 2030.
