The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mashonaland East Province, Hon Itayi Ndudzo, has commended the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), particularly Ridigita Prison Farm, for championing food production and contributing significantly to the country’s food security initiatives.
Hon Itayi Ndudzo, toured Ridigita Prison Farm yesterday to assess progress and witness firsthand the farm’s food production initiatives.
The Ridigita Prison Farm currently has 80 hectares of winter wheat under irrigation.
The Minister of State was impressed with the farming progress he witnessed yesterday at the Ridigita Prison Farm.
“Today I have toured this prison facility, accompanied by the ZPCS Officer Commanding Mashonaland East Province Commissioner George Sibanda and other senior officers, and I am impressed with the progress being made, particularly in agriculture.
“As I can see, the farm is being utilised, and this is a positive development that will go a long way in ensuring food security and self-sufficiency within the prison system and the country as a whole.
“I have been reliably informed that the farm has 80 hectares under winter wheat irrigation, with an expected yield of 4 tonnes per hectare, which is a commendable achievement and a testament to the hard work of the prison staff and inmates,” said Hon Itayi Ndudzo.
He added that farm production would lessen the burden on the fiscus budget as the prison would become self-sustaining and supply the surplus to the government, thereby generating income.
“This prison farm harvested 274 tonnes of maize this year, which is commendable, and it demonstrates the potential that exists within our correctional facilities to contribute meaningfully to the country’s food security.
“With this level of production, ZPCS can now feed inmates within this province and even supply to other provinces, which will go a long way in reducing the burden on the national budget,” added Hon Itayi Ndudzo.
The Officer In Charge Ridigita Prison Farm, Chief Superitendent Thomas Chiwire applauded the Management and Government for their support.
“I would like to applaud the management of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services and the government for their unwavering support, which has enabled us to achieve this level of production.
“We currently have 80 hectares of wheat under irrigation, and alongside that, we are also cultivating other essential crops like cabbages, onions, and green mealies, which not only supplement our food requirements but also provide a valuable source of nutrition for the inmates.
“I would like to recommend that we ensure the timeous supply of agricultural inputs and herbicides to enable us to maintain and increase our production levels,” said Chief Supt Chiwire.
Hon Ndudzo stated that Ridigita Prison farm is located in his constituency, Hwedza North and he donated a borehole to the facility, and also promised to provide assistance through the Ward 5 Councillor to complete the prison clinic.
The country is on a mission to reclaim its breadbasket status through the pfumvudza programmes and ZPCS is not left behind.
Story by Chiedza Nyabadza
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