Mashonaland West Senator Mike Musaka has singled out Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the sterling work he did in the Command Agriculture project.
He said the programme needed “charismatic generals to command” and “the charismatic general was found maybe in the name of the Vice President.”
“He did a commendable job. He has done very well and that is what we need,” the Senator said.
Senator Musaka said those who were not performing must be recalled.
With someone like Mnangagwa at the helm, he said, he was confident Zimbabwe would succeed.
He also pointed out the need to beef up strategic reserves before exporting.
In the first decade of independence Zimbabwe kept enough maize to last the country for three years while small grains could take the country for seven years but it was advised by the International Monetary Fund to liquidate the reserves because it as too costly to keep them.
The country never recovered after that.
Full contribution:
HON. SEN. MUSAKA: I wish to thank the Chairman of the Thematic Committee on Peace and Security, Hon. Mumvuri and the seconder of the motion. Indeed Mr. President, the trip was taken to do the job, to see whether all was complied with and well and good. Indeed, it was found out that it was all well and good. This issue was debated at length. Many Hon. Members who went on the trip indicated that all that was supposed to be done was done. Of course, more could be done and it could be better but members were all satisfied with what has taken place.
Mr. President, the silos are full. The depots are not full which makes it very clear – there is a difference that there is no space to put the grain; it is not well understood. The depots are still receiving. I think the strategy here Mr. President, the day the depots are full – I think those who understand economics; the system of offloading starts, that is when we start exporting but we are not yet there. It needs to be made very clear that there are some mathematical calculations which are made that you reach a certain optimum to a maximum of three years in reserve then you start offloading.
However, what I said in my other speech Mr. President, I think I used the military language, that you needed the charismatic generals to command. Indeed, I think the charismatic general was found maybe in the name of the Vice President. He did a commendable job. He has done very well and that is what we need – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
Again, we want to make it clear and point out that those commanding certain sectors who cannot perform should be recalled back to commanding headquarters then reassigned and given less demanding jobs. So far, as far as Command Agriculture is concerned – brilliant staff and that is where we are; we should continue that way. There are also plans to go to command cattle and sheep as you all know. I for one Mr. President, am confident with that particular general commanding the situation; we will succeed.
Mr. President, there was an honourable member of this House who raised concern about Command Agriculture, that in certain areas in our country Command Agriculture, disadvantaged people and/or societies. Mr. President, this was never the idea or aim of command agriculture to disadvantage any member of the Zimbabwean society. I call upon the Chairman of the Thematic Committee on Peace and Security to ensure that the issue is investigated and thoroughly dealt with. Command Agriculture was never intended to disadvantage anybody. With these few words, I thank you Mr. President.
(186 VIEWS)
