‘Let us prepare for another bumper harvest’

PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday urged Zimbabweans to prepare for the forthcoming agricultural season with ‘serious’ determination and ensure another successful summer cropping season. The Zanu-PF First Secretary and President made the call during his opening remarks at the revolutionary party’s 312th Politburo meeting held in Harare.

Zanu-PF national spokesperson Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said President Mugabe urged farmers to be on the ground and build on the success recorded during the last farming season.

“He stated that the rainy season was once again upon us and there was a need to start serious preparations for the 2017/18 agricultural season,” he said.

Government has already begun moving inputs with about 45 000 tonnes of seed maize and fertilisers being distributed to Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots across the country for onward transmission to intended beneficiaries. Farmers are expected to start collecting the farming inputs next week. Government will this season continue with the Command Agriculture initiative and is targeting to put 290 000 hectares under maize. Another 60 000 hectares will be put under soyabeans.

Cde Khaya Moyo said the party’s secretary for administration Cde Ignatius Chombo updated the Politburo on the preparations for the 17th National People’s Conference slated for Gwanda in December.

“In view of the coming 2018 harmonised elections, consultations are progressing with provinces to oil the Zanu-PF machinery so that we can win the elections thunderously,” he said.

“Fundraising activities are also in full swing. You will be advised of developments as we gear ourselves towards the elections. Our focus is thoroughly on the said elections.”

Cde Khaya Moyo said national commissar Cde Kasukuwere presented a report on the biometric voter registration seminars the party held countrywide.

“He reported that a team of senior party members led by Cde Chombo recently went around the country, visiting the 10 provinces and holding seminars,” he said.

“The seminars were meant to educate provincial leaders on biometric voter registration system including information dissemination and the role of war veterans in national development. These seminars were productive and information given is cascading to districts and down to the grassroots.”

Cde Khaya Moyo added: “The national commissar thanked the secretary for administration who was recently Home Affairs Minister for allowing the public to access identification documents for free even though for a limited period. This, he said, will assist potential voters in a large measure.”

He said secretary for external relations Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi presented a report on the recently held Bi-National Commission between Zimbabwe and South Africa. The Commission was held in Pretoria last week. “He gave a comprehensive political report on the said meeting,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.

“The secretary for indigenisation and economic empowerment, Cde Mike Bimha gave a detailed presentation as well on economic matters discussed by the Commission. The secretary for war veterans and Minister of Defence Cde Sydney Sekeramayi also gave a report to some extent on the illegal mining activities by Zimbabweans in South Africa. It is however pleasing to note that defence and security relations between the two countries were very cordial.”