Zimbabwe economy plan will shield farms

HARARE, Zimbabwe, March 20 (UPI) -- Zimbabwe's finance minister says a new economic program aimed at reviving the nation's agriculture sector will require $2 billion to get off the ground.

The Short-Term Emergency Recovery Program will, among other things, halt the takeover of large farms, which had become a hallmark of President Robert Mugabe's political supporters.

SW Radio Africa said Friday that the STERP plan was developed by the new "inclusive" government as a strategy for an overall economic recovery of which agriculture is a major component.

But Finance Minister Tendai Biti announced Thursday that at least $2 billion would be needed to begin the revival. At the same time, security for white farmers and a return to the rule of law would give the economy a major boost.