Diversify into small grains, farmers urged

Farmers should embrace diversity and not rely on a single type of crop every season, Agribank’s head of strategy, marketing and business development Mr Joseph Mverecha has said.

Mr Mverecha made the remarks while officially opening the Mashonaland East Provincial Agriculture Show in Marondera on Friday while urging farmers to consider growing small grain on a larger scale.

“We have different types of soils in Zimbabwe, some of the soil is good for small grains and growing other crops outside that affects yields.

“It is out of this reality that farmers should start diversifying their crops by embracing small grain farming,” he said.

Mr Mverecha commended farmers who were participating at the show and exhibitors showcasing their products in support of farmers saying the country needs combined efforts for it to be the breadbasket of Africa again.

He said Agribank will always be there to support farmers, and encouraged farmers to honour their debts so that others can benefit as well.

“Let me commend all those who are participating in this show, I have been touring the stands and I was pleased with the agriculture produce, which I saw.

“Let me also commend the corporate world who are in support of agriculture. We can only be successful in agriculture if we work and support agriculture programmes,” he said.

“As Agribank we encourage farmers to approach any of our branches and ask for the agriculture facilities we offer.

“We have a lot of farmers who have benefited, and some are benefiting. All that we encourage is if you get a loan, please honour the agreement, so that the next farmer will benefit also.”

Mr Mverecha called out to buyers of agriculture produce to approach them so that the bank would be in a beter position to finance farmers.

“We have buyers of agriculture products like supermarkets. We urge you to visit us and share with us what exactly would you expect from farmers. By so doing we will be able to finance farmers basing on your demands. We want our farmers to provide marketable products,” he said.

In his remarks at the same occasion, Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Dr David Musabayana commended farmers and exhibitors for coming in their numbers to participate in the 2018 Mashonaland East Agricultural   Show.

He said the country was blessed to have a leader who was passionate about farming.

He urged farmers to take agriculture as a business, which they can rely on for their sustenance.

Dr Musabayana encouraged them to embrace programmes like Command Agriculture, which he said was ta giant step towards Zimbabwe’s economic development.

He commended the Government for availing the Presidential Input Scheme earlier than in the previous years saying this would give enough time for small-scale farmers to prepare for the 2018-2019 agriculture season.