Sanyatwe praises Tagwirei

Zimbabwe's Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Anslem Sanyatwe, has commended businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei for his instrumental role in the implementation of the command agriculture scheme, crediting the initiative with pulling Zimbabwe back from the brink of mass hunger during a time of economic crisis.

Speaking at a Seventh Day Adventist Church gathering in Nyanga North over the weekend, Sanyatwe openly acknowledged Zimbabwe's ongoing economic challenges and praised the intervention of key players like Tagwirei in averting food shortages.

"Zimbabwe was on its knees. The shelves were empty. People in Nyanga North were travelling to Katandika for groceries and fuel was not available. But working with the army, this man introduced command agriculture, which marked the end of hunger in the country," Sanyatwe said, referring to Tagwirei who was present at the gathering.

The minister, who previously served as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, said command agriculture was born out of necessity during one of Zimbabwe's most difficult periods, especially after the imposition of sanctions and the land reform programme, which left food production severely disrupted.

The command agriculture programme, which evolved from Operation Maguta initiated in 2005, was scaled up significantly during the 2016/17 farming season in response to a crippling drought the previous year.

The scheme targeted large-scale farmers located near water bodies, each expected to cultivate at least 200 hectares of maize, producing a minimum of 1 000 tonnes. A total of 2,000 farmers participated in the expanded programme, which aimed to restore national food self-sufficiency.

Sanyatwe highlighted how the collaboration between Tagwirei and state institutions such as the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and the military played a vital role in stabilising the food supply chain.

"The GMB granaries were empty at the time. It was through working with people like Kuda Tagwirei that we managed to implement a programme that not only put food on the table, but also helped restore a sense of hope," he said.

Tagwirei, a prominent businessman with vast interests in the agriculture and energy sectors, has been a controversial figure in Zimbabwean politics and economics, but Sanyatwe's remarks underscore his continuing influence in government-aligned initiatives.

Sanyatwe's speech struck a deeply political tone, celebrating the resilience of Zimbabweans and the value of home-grown solutions amid what he described as a deliberate economic strangulation through sanctions.

"Let us not forget what we have come through. This programme, command agriculture, was not just about farming. It was about survival and resistance," he said.

While the command agriculture scheme has in the past faced criticism over transparency and accountability, government officials continue to cite it as a pillar of Zimbabwe's agricultural recovery.

The minister called on communities to continue supporting state-led agricultural initiatives and encouraged unity between the church, the state, and the private sector to ensure Zimbabwe remains food secure.

"We must work together – the church, government and patriotic businesspeople – to protect and grow what we have achieved," Sanyatwe added.

As Zimbabwe prepares for the 2025/26 farming season amid persistent climate challenges and economic pressures, officials appear poised to continue leaning on strategic public-private partnerships as a means of navigating national food security goals.