ZDF on national security

THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces has identified farming as one of the country’s main activities key to maintain national security.

Speaking at a field day held for Zimbabwe Staff College (ZSC) in Insiza District, Matabeleland South at Mr Adolphous Dube’s farm yesterday, Brigadier-General Josphat Kudumba the Commandant of ZSC, said security was no longer limited to guns and warfare.

“ZSC’s core business is to deal with defence and security. Security is no longer limited to holding a rifle but economic security. We took our students out for domestic studies, where we visit various places to confirm Government programmes. We want to see how some people are performing such as those who benefited from the Agrarian land reform programme. It is during these tours and field days that we identify how beneficiaries contribute to the country’s economy and map a way forward,” said Brig-Gen Kudumba.

He said ZSC has embarked on a series of tours around the country to ensure Zimbabwe’s economic security.

“We are not only touring farms but other major projects in industries such as Zimasco, for learning purposes as well. These tours also aide us in identifying and understanding the situation on the ground. We began these tours two weeks ago, with our final destination being either in Mutare or Inyanga,” said Brig-Gen Kudumba.

He said they would also tour old battle sites where nationalist forces clashed with the Rhodesian army. The owner of the farm, Mr Dube said he was mainly into commercial pedigree breeding and called upon the Government and various stakeholders in the farming sector to resuscitate the Cold Storage Company (CSC) to promote farming and business in the country.

“I am into pedigree breeding particularly focusing on Beef Master Studs. The aim here is to ensure that we as a country are able to feed ourselves and perhaps other countries as we once did as Africa’s bread basket,” said Mr Dube.

The Government last month launched a $300 million facility for the Special Livestock, Fisheries and Wildlife Programme, meant to improve agriculture production and ensure the country continues to be food self-sufficient. Vice-President Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga said the commencement of the programme was part of the trajectory of Government’s broad economic recovery and transformation concept, Zim Asset. The programme is also meant to ensure the country achieves food security and nutrition and empower the people.