Secretary for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Ringson Chitsiko blasted Government for prioritising importation of maize instead of supporting local farmers with inputs to enable them produce high yields just like neighbouring countries.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Development yesterday, Mr Chitsiko said if Government gave farmers maximum support with inputs, it would see Zimbabwe return to its status as the breadbasket of Southern Africa.
He was responding to questions from legislators on why Zimbabwe's neighbours had bumper maize harvests despite experiencing similar weather conditions.
SADC countries like South Africa and Botswana have invested in water irrigation to counter the El-Nino effects.
- Herald
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