A/HRC/43/44/Add.4 the sanctions includes severe foreign currency shortages, increased inflation, shortages and sharp prices of basic commodities, such as fuel and the staple maize grain. 16. The allegations that proceeds from the sale of minerals rarely reach Treasury are inaccurate. On the contrary, the Government took a policy position to consolidate all mining companies in the Chiadzwa area under a State owned entity, namely, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), in order for the country to fully benefit from its diamond proceeds. Zimbabwe also realises significant revenue inflows from other minerals such as gold, platinum and chrome. Furthermore, Fidelity Printers Refiners (FPR), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), took delivery of gold in the following quanties in the past few years: 2017 24.8 tonnes 2018 33.2 tonnes 2019 27.660 tonnes 2020 (January) 1,761 tonnes 17. The assertion that the Government of Zimbabwe is insolvent and has failed to pay civil servants salaries on time are not a true representation of the state of affairs. The Government has never missed payments of any salary obligations. In fact, during the Special Rapporteur’s visit in November 2019, all civil servants were granted a 13thth cheque on the back of some salary adjustments and cost of living allowances of over 100%. 18. Whilst noting the liquidity constraints, the Government does not subscribe to the conclusion by the Special Rapporteur that there is a cash crisis in the country. The country is pursuing a policy of promoting the usage of plastic money and electronic modes of payment, which have been widely subscribed to by the citizenry. III. Legal and Policy Frameworks on the right to food A. International and Regional Level 19. The Government of Zimbabwe welcomes the observations by the Special Rapporteur on Zimbabwe’s commitment to safeguard fundamental human rights and freedoms, in particular, the right to food, as well as the robustness of the existing Constitutional, legislative and administrative measures in this regard. The Government also welcomes the commendations for its active and dedicated participation in Regional and International human rights bodies to which Zimbabwe is a party. 20. The Government has taken note and will consider the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. B. Programmes Supporting the Agricultural Sector 21. The losses due to price differentials raised in the report arise from the fact that the Government has adopted a different subsidy model whereby it subsidises the producer price, with the financial implications being borne by the Government. 22. Regarding the observations relating to the Command Agriculture Programme, it is noted that this programme has been very effective in increasing productivity levels, in particular, for maize. It is also important to note that this programme was introduced in the 2016-2017 seasons. Below are the maize production figures, for the past five seasons: 6 2014-2015 742 226 tonnes 2015-2016 511 816 tonnes 2016-2017 2 155 526 tonnes 2017- 2018 1 722 718 tonnes