Victor Maphosa Mashonaland East Correspondent
Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Cde David Musabayana last week commissioned a seed bank that is expected to be used by farmers in Mudzi District to store small grains.

Addressing villagers in Mudzi, Minister Musabayana commended private organisations for partnering Government in uplifting people’s standards of living.

“I am grateful to be here commissioning this seed bank,” he said. “This is a great development in Mudzi and let me commend the Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT) for this development here.

“You have answered President Mnangagwa’s call that private organisations should partner with Government in developing this nation.

“Our President is saying Zimbabwe is open for business, he does not mean that the nation should do business with foreigners alone; as Government, we want also local people to do business in their land and those who want to partner with Government are welcome.”

Minister Musabayana applauded CTDT for contributing ideas, the vision and resources that were used to build the seed bank, which was meant to eradicate poverty in Mudzi.

“This development is very commendable, especially to the people of Mudzi, whose area is conducive for small grain crops,” he said. “Initiatives of this nature will see Zimbabwe becoming the food basket of Africa again.”

The community, he said, should consider adding value to small grain seeds through packaging them for sale.

CTDT representative Mr Patrick Kasasa thanked Government for opening its doors to partnerships with private organisations, saying that had the potential to positively impact on rural communities.

“To the local community, I say your commitment has brought good results to this area,” he said.

“We provided money and ideas, but you provided labour and today we are commissioning this seed bank with pride. It is your product, so together we must use it productively.”

The seed bank would see local farmers bringing all their small grains like sorghum and millet, among others, for storage