‘Take command agric to the village’

GOVERNMENT has been urged to take command agriculture to the grassroots to ensure food security. Speaking at a prelaunch of a village command agriculture programme, Chivi District chairman Dr Killer Zivhu said it was imperative for the initiative to benefit those at the lowest echelons of society.

He said availing the programme to the lowest levels of society would not only ensure food sustainability, but promote accountability.

“We have roped in seed companies to provide inputs to kick start the programme,” said Dr Zivhu. “The programme will also monitor inputs from the presidential inputs scheme and this will ensure all inputs received from scheme are not abused.

Dr Zivhu also said the construction of the Tokwe Mukorsi Dam was set to contribute to the village command agriculture through irrigation projects.

The initial phase of the programme will see villagers receiving small grain seeds as well as soya bean and maize seed.

Dr Zivhu said he envisaged taking the village command agriculture countrywide.

“By the end of the year we would have taken this programme to all districts in the country,” he added.

“We will also rope in other seed companies as the programme progresses.”

Under the national command agriculture programme, the country expects to harvest over two million tonnes of maize from the 2016/17 season.