Add value to your resources: Shiri

PROVINCES should add value to resources in their areas than the prevailing situation where they are exporting jobs to other areas, says Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Perrance Shiri. Speaking in Bindura on Wednesday, Minister Shiri said agriculture was the largest employer in Mashonaland Central and its benefits should be visible.
“We are the best farming province in the country, but what are we doing with our produce?

“We do not have a single milling company or bakery in the province. We find pride in exporting jobs to Harare and Marondera where Baker’s Inn and Proton are housed.
“We are always crying that there is no employment in the province, yet we do not have time to sit down and analyse where we are getting it wrong.

“Are we saying we do not have capacity of having small milling plants here?
“It makes a lot of economic sense if we have our own milling plants so that we process the wheat and grains we harvest here. We all start small and develop as time progresses,” he said.
Minister Shiri urged farmers to be well-versed with the weather conditions of their respective areas for them to choose the correct produce to concentrate on.

“We have low-lying areas like Mbire, Rushinga and Muzarabani, where maize production is a waste of time and resources. This farming season was characterised by below normal rainfall, but small grains did very well.
“This should buoy farmers to increase these crops’ hectarage next season and food security will be ensured.
“Another area which farmers should seriously consider is cattle ranching.

“Our livestock carrying capacity is much higher compared to cattle ranching areas of Matabeleland.
“Our farmers should also try their hand in goat breeding as this has a lucrative market in the Middle East. Effective farming is not always on vast tracts of land. We grow a lot of crops here to provide enough stover that can be used as stockfeed,” he said.
Minister Shiri called for the reviving of the once lucrative citrus, banana and dairy farming in the province.

“Some of the plantations were razed by fires, while some were cleared to pave way for maize production. Milk production has gone down in the province and we should encourage the revival of this sector.

“We only have Alpha and Omega, which is producing a lot of dairy products. We should aim to have partnership with those endowed with financial resources.

“We should not be like baboons that wail and cover their faces when faced with challenges. We should find solutions that will keep our economy growing,” he said.