President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged Zimbabwean farmers and miners to honour the country’s departed heroes and heroines by fully utilising the land which they fought for.
Mnangagwa was addressing the nation on the occasion of the country’s 40th anniversary of the National Heroes Day commemorations.
His call comes at a time when the country is preparing for the imminent 2020/2021 cropping season in the midst of a crippling drought which has cost the government millions of dollars in grain imports.
“The blood of those who fought for our land shall forever be honoured through maximum use of our land,” said Mnangagwa.
“Farmers are encouraged to honour the departed heroes by taking full advantage of the recapitalisation of the Command Agriculture programme, dam construction, irrigation development and mechanisation programmes which my administration is undertaking in partnership with the private sector.”
He further said: “The setting of pre-planting producer prices as an incentive together with the growth plan must give impetus to our farmers to boost production and productivity.”
He said his administration had embarked on the first phase of the land audit which has since been completed.
“Under-utilised land identified through the audit will be allocated in line with the government policy,” he said.
“To further stimulate productivity, a multi-pronged agriculture recovery plan is being rolled out. This will result in increased productivity of maize, wheat, soya beans and traditional grains. Similarly, the implementation of the Pfumvudza Concept is progressing well and will see a transformation to food security at household level.”
The President also challenged players in the mining industry to fully utilise the land.
“The land that our heroes fought for includes all that which is under that land,” he said.
“The strategic roadmap for the attainment of a US$12 billion mining sector by 2023 is on course. In line with this policy, the use it or lose it principle is being strictly enforced in order to unlock resources for enhanced production.”
The President said the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05] was being amended into a “competitive, modern, investor friendly and supportive law which will benefit the majority of our people.”
“Through robust modern and innovative synergies between the ministries of Energy and
Mines, Zimbabwe is on track to emerge as a net exporter of energy by 2023,” he said.
“These are the emerging new realities that we are celebrating at this 40th Heroes Day Commemorations.
