We’ll repossess non-productive farms: Minister
GOVERNMENT will not to back down on plans to repossess land from non-productive farmers, especially beneficiaries of land reform.
Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Douglas Karoro reiterated that Government was prepared to either downsize farms or repossess land from those farmers who have not been contributing to the country’s food security and national economy. He was speaking during the provincial launch of the winter wheat growing programme at Lamonte Farm, about 10km west of Masvingo city last Friday. The farm belongs to Minister of State in Vice President Kembo Mohadi’s office, Davis Marapira.
The Deputy Minister said Masvingo was expected to put 800ha under winter wheat this year out of the 80 000ha national target, that will produce about 415 000 tonnes.
“We no longer want to continue importing maize and wheat when we have enough water bodies to produce these crops. Take note that when food security in the country is poor, every other developmental project is suspended. That is very disastrous.”
He said Government was committed to assist farmers with irrigation implements and inputs to revive the country’s agricultural sector.
“Winter wheat planting period is between April and the first week of June every year. We expect a bumper harvest this year since Government is mobilising farm and irrigation equipment for wheat farmers.”
Cde Marapira put 60ha under wheat at his farm, but cited water challenges for hampering plans to irrigate 220ha under the crop.
“We ended up putting 60ha under wheat this year though there is capacity to grow wheat on 220ha under centre pivot irrigation. Water is a big challenge here,” he said.
ZIMBABWE yesterday unveiled a first of its kind kiosk that uses a tap card system to draw water from an automatic dispenser.
The kiosk, comprising a solar-powered borehole, is a pilot project in Budiriro, Harare, and will be managed by the community.
It has a borehole that has a filtration, chlorine system and the water is tested for microbial and biological composition.
The use of traditional water taps was excluded and users will only be required to tap a sensor so that water automatically comes out.
It was constructed by UNICEF, Oxfam and UNDP and handed over to council on behalf of the user community.
Users will have to fork out $4 for a 20 litre bucket of purified water.
Funds generated are earmarked for the maintenance of the borehole at the kiosk, to buy chlorine, pay allowances for those manning the kiosk and also help maintaining other boreholes in the area.
Speaking during the unveiling of the kiosk yesterday, Oxfam country director Miriam Van Dorssen expressed commitment to set up other kiosks across the country.
“We have helped building this kiosk in partnership with UNDP and UNICEF so it’s a pioneering project here in Zimbabwe. Oxfam has worked with this concept in other countries, but it is the first time that we have it in Zimbabwe.
“We are looking forward to be able to evaluate it and be able to learn how things are going on here so that we can take the concept to other communities,” she said.
Harare City Council director of water, Engineer Mabhena Moyo said there is a water committee comprising of local residents that will manage operations at the kiosk.
“The kiosk has an automatic dispenser, a borehole with submissive pumps which pumps into 20 000 litre tanks. Within the borehole there are inline chlorination for purifying water.
“Inside the kiosk there are also filters and UV disinfection. People will buy electronic tokens using the concept more like that of tap cards and one can buy the amount of water he or she requires.
“A 20 litre dispenser is being sold for $4, but this is very pure water and I think mostly people are using it for drinking.
“There was a lot of disinfection because the area once experienced diarrhoeal diseases so our partners were very cautious,” he said.
THE Midlands Provincial Covid-19 Taskforce has opened a second quarantine centre at Mkoba Teachers’ College after being overwhelmed by the increasing number of returnees from neighbouring countries who have filled up the first quarantine centre at Gweru Polytechnic College.
Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Larry Mavima said there were now 195 people under quarantine after the province received another batch of returnees recently, with Gweru Polytechnic only having capacity for 118 people.
“We have moved the other 77 to Mkoba Teachers College after our initial centre was full and we are expecting more. Initially, we were told 17 people were coming from Beitbridge on the first day and we ended up having 75 people. As of today (yesterday), we have a total of 195 returnees and our initial quarantine centre — Gweru Polytechnic College — has a holding capacity of 118,” he said.
Senator Mavima said the returnees, who were ferried by Zupco buses, would be housed for at least eight days while undergoing screening and testing for Covid-19. He said those that tested positive would be sent to isolation treatment centres while those who tested negative would be released.
Senator Mavima said the province had adequate food to feed the returnees while in quarantine after the taskforce received various donations.
Meanwhile, Kwekwe Mayor Councillor Angeline Kasipo has pledged to accommodate more returnees in case Gweru quarantine centres are full.
She said the city has identified two schools, Kwekwe High and Junior as quarantine centres.
“Kwekwe High can accommodate up to 120 people while the junior school has the capacity to accommodate another 80. At the moment, we are yet to receive any inmates,” she said.
In Manicaland, the rehabilitation of Mutare Infectious Diseases Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU), which was designated as the city’s isolation centre, has been completed with the institution now awaiting delivery of equipment.
Work at the ICU has been ongoing for almost two months with funding from Mutare City Council, Treasury and the Mutare business community.
Mutare mayor Councillor Blessing Tandi said the completion of the centre was a huge relief as the city had been lagging behind in terms of isolation centres.
“We are happy to announce that all the outstanding internal works at the ICU have been completed with the help of the Mutare business community and central Government.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba said the completion of the isolation centre was a vote of confidence for the province as most of the work had been done by local businesses.
“MIDH has been given a major facelift and we mobilised all skills we had from all Government institutions, Mutare City, Ministry of Local Government, the army and police and we also roped in the business community.
“We have made quite a saving as we utilised the resources that we have in the province. We are also using the same approach at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.
“Since this is a big hospital, we have come up with three shifts where our artisans come in so that we complete work in the shortest possible time,” she said.
Government last week released $12 million to the Mutare City Council and part of the funds are being used to purchase equipment for the ICU.