By Staff Reporter

The newly appointed Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement which has been added other portfolio of Water and Climate, Retired Chief Air Marshal Perrence Shiri, said he would continue where he left.

Speaking to Harare Post during the swearing in ceremony held at State House yesterday, Cde Perrence Shiri thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa for having faith in him.

“Last year Government introduced Command Livestock and Crops which will continue so that there is food security in the country,” said Shiri.

He said Government would continue to engage stakeholders both local and abroad to ensure the country retains its bread basket status which it used to have soon after independence.

“Our Grain Marketing Board depots across the country have adequate grains to take the nation to the next harvesting time,” he said.

He said the nation should not panic in light of weather forecast which point to another El Nino during this farming season.

He said the Command Agriculture introduced by Government saved the country a lot of foreign currency on importation of food.

President Mnangagwa set up a land audit to check on land redistribution process. Minister Shiri said Government was concerned with the multiple land ownership and some farms which were too big.

Government poured in nearly $500 million dollars for the support scheme for farmers and harvesting water would continue to scale command fishing.

“The Government wants a fully functional Cold Storage Commission and that is attainable through a robust livestock restocking programme,” said the Minister.