Mugabe: I am ready to fight

"Let's work together, all of us," Mugabe said at a ceremony in Harare where he commissioned a range of farming equipment to be distributed to new farmers.

"We all need food whether we belong to (the ruling) Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front) or the (main opposition) Movement for Democratic Change.

"We eat the same food so let's unite for one goal. When these tractors are distributed we won't consider whether one is a member of Zanu-PF or the MDC.

"The issue of food affects everyone, whatever one's totem."

Zimbabwe, once the southern African region's breadbasket, is facing a critical shortage of wheat which has forced most bakers to close temporarily or scale down their production.

The staple cornmeal is also scarce and at least 4.1 million people, nearly a third of the population, will require food aid during the lean spell extending to the country's next harvest, according to the UN's World Food Programme.

Harare blames the shortfall on drought, but critics put much of the blame on its agricultural policy begun eight years ago.

Often violent land reforms saw the seizures of at least 4 000 properties formerly run by white farmers for redistribution to landless blacks, the majority of whom lacked the skills and means to farm.

Mugabe warned businesses against profiteering after government imposed price ceilings to curb rampant inflation.

"We urge businesses to be disciplined in their conduct. I am told the price of bread has gone up from the gazetted prices.

"Those who unjustifiably increase prices, I am ready to fight. Even though I am 84, I can still throw strong punches that can knock you down, but we don't want to fight unecessarily."

- AFP