Utilise the land or risk offer letter cancellation: Chombo

Mutorashanga – Beneficiaries of the land reform program have been urged to productively utilize the land or risk losing rights to it as government moves to ensure food security with unproductive farm owners facing a two week ultimatum.

Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works Marian Chombo made the call during a Pfumvudza field day held at Maplanka Primary School in Mutorashanga Ward 15, Zvimba North Constituency.

Chombo who is the Member of the House of Assembly for Zvimba North Constituency said farmers who benefited from the land reform programme should ensure that there is production on the farms.

“We now have teams going around the country to monitor production on the farms. Those failing to productively utilize the land will get a two week notice of withdrawal of offer letters. The land will be offered to someone who is capable of utilizing it. If some people don’t have the financial capacity to fully work their farms, they are encouraged to form joint ventures with those with the capacity so they will be increased production.

“We no longer want a situation where people just hold on to unproductive and idle farms with land ownership without production. Once the teams identify idle land, a notice is placed in the newspaper and you risk losing the offer letter within two weeks, ” she said.

Chombo said even though the country experienced a poor agricultural season to weather elements resulting in some areas experiencing droughts, the government has made enough preparations in ensuring no one gets hungry.

“We didn’t receive good rains with other places going to experience droughts. No one will starve because the government led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa is prepared adequately to ensure that everyone gets enough food,” she said.

The field day which was hosted by former commercial farm labourers who successfully utilized pfumvudza inputs received from government saw the farmers appealing for more land.

Catherine Chiduza of Maplanka Farm said as former farm labourers, they are looking forward in getting agriculture land for increased production.

“We are getting small pieces of land from local A2 farmers here and in my case I have less than a hectare where I have put maize, groundnuts and cowpeas. It is our plea that we get more land to increase production,” she said.

For her efforts in Pfumvudza farming, Chiduza came out tops among farmers who benefited from the Presidential Inputs Scheme and received bags of fertilizer and a knapsack as well as cash courtesy from Honourable Chombo who sponsored the prizes.