President vows to support agricultural sector

President vows to support agricultural sector

By Letwin Mubonesi

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said government would continuously support the agriculture sector as it is the backbone of the Zimbabwean economy.

Agriculture is critical for the survival of any economy and ensuring its sustainability is of paramount importance. It is the primary source of food, making it the key to global food security. When agricultural produce is sold, producers get an income, which translates to foreign currency earnings when the produce is exported.

In rural households across the globe, agriculture is the main source of livelihood, generating both income and food for producers.

It is also an important source of employment for many, especially in developing countries.

Mnangagwa, who officially opened the 111th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS), said the agricultural extravaganza and production on the farms this year could have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, farmers remained steadfast and the yields were showing.

They indicated that farmers should positively look ahead to the 2021/22 season that is also promising.

“Government continues to support the national enhanced agricultural production scheme, the Presidential Climate Proofed and the Presidential Rural Horticulture and Livestock Programmes, among other initiatives,” Mnangagwa said.

He urged youths and women to take advantage of opportunities created by the said programmes, adding that doing such would ensure a brighter future and set the pace for the achievement of the vision 2030.

Having few young farmers joining the agricultural space, may mean that there will not be enough farmers producing food and fuel.

Consequently not enough food and fuel to cater for a growing global population in the future.

This makes young farmers key in ensuring food, fuel security, agricultural employment, income, and foreign currency earnings for future generations.

The lack of young farmers is a global challenge within developing economies.

It is often perceived that young people are not interested in farming because they do not find it attractive.