Agriculture Reporter
There was joy and ululation in most of Harare suburbs over the weekend as Government distributed farming inputs under the Pfumvudza programme.
Residents in Kambuzuma, Hatcliffe, Ruwa, Mufakose, Hopley, Warren Park, Kuwadzana, Budiriro and Glen Norah received inputs for their urban plots.
Speaking to this publication over the weekend, Mbuya Memory Gutuza of Hatcliffe said that she was overwhelmed with joy as she had not expected that urban dwellers could also be considered for the Pfumvudza programme.
“I’m happy. All along I thought that the Pfumvudza programme was only designed for people in the rural areas. I was shocked when my neighbour told me that the government was going to give us inputs today (Saturday).The inputs that I received will go a long way in ensuring food security at household level,” said Mbuya Gutuza.
Ellen Kufandirori of Hopley, who lives with disability, thanked President Mnangagwa for empowering people in towns with inputs and said that the President had shown that he loves everyone despite one’s location.
“I want to thank President Mnangagwa for remembering us. By giving us these inputs, the President has shown that he loves both the urban and rural people. We now have the energy to plough our urban plots because the seed and fertilizers have been provided,” said Kufandirori.
Another recipient of the inputs, Lloyd Gotora of Mufakose said that the Pfumvudza inputs came at the right time considering that seed and fertilizer shops were charging exorbitant prizes for the inputs. He said the Pfumvudza inputs would alleviate hunger and poverty among urban people.
Speaking at the side lines of the inputs distribution programme in Hopley, Chief Programmes Coordinator in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Nickros Kajengo, said that Government does not segregate when it comes to empowering its people. He said that the inputs distribution was part of Government efforts to empower its people and ensure food sufficiency in the country.
“Government does not segregate its people when it comes to empowerment programmes. The inputs distribution is part of government efforts to ensure food security at household level. I came here to assess and evaluate how the programme was going on and I want to check if the youths, women and disabled, were benefitting from the programme. I’m impressed by the response to the programme and we are grateful to President Mnangagwa for such a noble programme,” said Kajengo.
Kajengo applauded the ZANU PF’s Secretary for Production and Labour, Dr Josiah Hungwe and Provincial Development Coordinator, Cde Tafadzwa Muguti for ensuring that inputs were timeously distributed to all beneficiaries.
