Food insecurity is a global threat which is affecting almost every nation.
The global food crisis has been triggered mainly by prolonged droughts due to climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic and the on-going
Given that the threat of food crisis has ripple effects which among others include, health complications, food price hikes and instability, the Government should continuously implement projects that empower locals, in a bid to boost food productivity.
Prices, especially of bread and mealie-meal have been skyrocketing on the back of supply disruptions and shortages, amid falling exports from
In efforts to empower the black majority and enhance agricultural production, in 2002, Government introduced the Land Reform Programme (LRP). Although the LRP faced backlashes from the international community to the extent that
Thus, Government remained committed to assisting resettled farmers through several action plans to increase productivity. For instance, smallholder farmers under the Command Agriculture Programme had been receiving inputs and technical support to enhance productivity.
Also, farmers have been receiving training in commercial and advanced farming techniques, farming implements through loans and aid and the sourcing of markets for their produce.
Thus, the Government remodelled the Command Agriculture Programme to incorporate the
Moreover, in
Such a move depicts Government's commitment to empower Zimbabweans through the vast fertile land which the country holds.
As pronounced and enunciated in Vision 2030, under the banner, "Leaving No Place and No One Behind," it is Government's wish that every Zimbabwean benefits from the country's resources especially land.
To promote mechanisation and modernisation of the agricultural sector, in 2021, Government said it was working on improving lending terms of the
The
Furthermore, Government's adoption of the conservation farming method Pfumvudza/Intwasa, as a hedge against climate-change-induced food shortages is also aiding in promoting food security.
The Pfumvudza farming concept is a sustainable way of crop production intensification whereby farmers use few resources, expend energy on a smaller piece of land, thereby reducing labour.
Thus, farming through the Pfumvudza concept allows the country to gain economic stability, decrease food insecurity and empower farmers to not only feed the nation but other regional countries.
Pfvumvudza was recently recognised by the
A
OGUTU said given that
In that regard, Government's programme to reallocate idle land to other aspiring black farmers could also be centred on large-scale commercial farming.
Similarly, chief executive officer of the
Failure by farmers to get adequate fertilisers could compromise yields. As such, to boost output, Government should consider finding ways of accessing enough farming inputs to equip small-scale and commercial farmers ahead of the 2022 to 2023 farming season.
Such empowerment will see local farmers becoming economically independent and at the same time improving the country's economic growth.
In conclusion, considering that agriculture is the backbone of the country's economy, whereby most Zimbabweans, largely the rural population derive their livelihoods from, the
Also, there will be need for thorough monitoring of all the farming projects. Such a move will not only stimulate sustainable food security, but will also guarantee the country not to rely heavily on donors for food supplies.
Lastly, effective implementation of the farming projects will contribute to the attainment of Vision 2030, of transforming the country's economy into an upper middle-class.
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