Strive for higher yields: Shamu

FARMERS in Mashonaland West Province should stick to correct farming methods and avoid short cuts to increase production under Command Agriculture and non-Command farming in the 2017/18 season, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Webster Shamu has said.

Speaking at the ZANU-PF Mashonaland West provincial coordinating committee meeting at the weekend, Cde Shamu said Mashonaland West was set to improve in the farming sector and increase hectarage under both Command and non-Command Agriculture.

“We must stick to the book on proper faming methods to increase yields. We want to improve our deliveries at the Grain Marketing Board and our farm- ing in Mashonaland West. Let us work hard and increase our yield in this province.

“This season we want to increase hectarage under both Command and non- Command Agriculture, this will ensure national food security,” said Cde Shamu.

He said the provincial target for grains was 250 000ha of which 25 000ha was for soyabeans.

“Our provincial target for both command and non-command agriculture is 250 000ha and for soyabeans we are targeting 25 000ha, these will allow us to feed the nation as a province,” he said.

“We want to commend the implementation of Command Agriculture by Dr Amai Grace Mugabe, which has allowed us to increase food production,” he said.

Meanwhile Cde Shamu said he was not happy with the way some party members were being treated at the Agritex offices.

“We have received complaints that some party members are not able to get inputs while others are being harassed at the Agritex offices. This should end.

“We will make sure that we put in place mechanisms that ensure everyone benefits from the Presidential Inputs Scheme and Command Agriculture,” he said.

He said it was important that chiefs got their inputs at their homes instead of them queueing.

“It is important that chiefs receive their inputs at home instead of standing in queues,” he said