Zimbabwean Minister Leads by Example with Command Agriculture
When the Government introduced the command agriculture scheme at the beginning of the 2016-2017 farming season to address food security challenges in the country, naysayers said it would fail.
However, farmers such as Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister (responsible for cropping) Davis Marapira have proved them wrong.
A visit to his LaMotte Farm along the Masvingo-Mashava Road will quickly remind one that they are in a reputable farmer’s territory as they are welcomed by a herd of cattle whose pen is a few metres from the farm entrance. A short distance away, a jovial flock of sheep greets one from yet another pen.
Deputy Minister Marapira started off with 30 beasts in 2007 but now boasts of 600 head of cattle from which he donates some bulls for breeding to his constituents in Masvingo North.
He visits his farm every weekend and also takes the opportunity to interact with his constituents as well as initiate development projects in the area.
Swathi Sridharan