Command Agric will boost economy
EDITOR — It is a good that Government is still buying maize from our farmers at a good price despite a surplus maize production.
This motivates our farmers to keep giving their best. Farming is labour intensive hence there is a need for farmers to be rewarded for their hard work.
Small-scale farmers will soon want to expand the acreage. If there is a sector that is becoming successful in Zimbabwe, it is the agricultural sector. The Command Agriculture programme has seen positive responses both locally and internationally.
Countries like Germany, China and Japan, among others, have shown interest in our agricultural outputs and that is a great achievement.
Recently, reports of farmers expressing interest to join Command Agriculture were made. This tells us that there is a high probability of agricultural outputs increasing again next year. What needs to be done now is to plan ahead so that we can maximise our benefits from this development.
There have been reports of shortages of foreign currency in the country and the agricultural sector could be the answer we are all looking for.
We are bound to get lots of foreign currency if we are tactful in the way we plan. Other sectors can also benefit from agriculture.
Shortages of drugs in the health sector have been attributed to this deficit in foreign currency since we need to import drugs.
This means that the health sector, among others, will benefit if agriculture is successful.
Chiedza Mapanga