On 2 January 2021, the Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, General (Rtd) Dr. Chiwenga announced a 30-day national lockdown in terms of Section 8(1) of the Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) National Lockdown (No. 2) (Amendment) Order 2021 (No. 9) Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021.
A number of restrictive measures were announced and fortunately, the agriculture sector was classified as an essential service and will continue to operate as before. To facilitate free movement of farmers, the following documentation is mandatory and should be produced at every police checkpoint when required:
- Commercial A1 and A2 farmers: An offer letter or lease agreement and an exemption certificate from Officer in Charge Station.
- Communal Farmers: Supporting letter from the Headman or Village Head stating the business to be done, the date, time, place and an exemption letter from Officer in Charge Station.
Failure to produce this documentation may result in one being denied passage at roadblocks by law enforcement agencies and a possible fine. It is therefore important for farmers to prepare and have these documents in place to avoid disappointments and inconvenience.
Farmers are also reminded that businesses close at 03:00pm to facilitate movement of people to comply with the curfew which runs from 06:00pm to 06:00am. Everyone is expected to wear a face mask, sanitize and observe social distancing whilst in public places.
In a related update, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement issued a public notice on the 5th of January 2021 further clarifying businesses that will remain operational during the lockdown which include manufacturers and suppliers of day old chicks, stockfeeds and agro-chemicals among others.
In addition to the Ministry and Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) offices, the issuance of exemption letters has been decentralised to local AGRITEX and ZRP offices and farmers are encouraged to liaise with officials representing the Ministry (Strategic Policy Planning and Business Development Directorate), AMA officials, AGRITEX and the Zimbabwe Republic Police closest to them to obtain the requisite authorisation documents.
Decentralisation is meant to reduce the inconvenience to farmers and ensure smooth movement of agricultural produce from farms to all registered produce markets which will remain open during the prescribed hours.
Exemption letters will be issued free of charge.
For further enquiries, you can contact The Ministry of Lands on hotline +263-242-790358 or email directoreconomics18(at)gmail.com or AMA hotline +263773100246 or email jmanduna(at)ama.co.zw
Download Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement full Press Statement.
Download Covid-19 Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021.
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