Farmers urged to boost productivity
Agriculture Reporter
Zimbabwean farmers should take advantage of the huge demand for local agricultural produce on international markets to increase productivity on farms, Acting President Joice Mujuru said yesterday.
Speaking at the Tobacco Sales Floor Grower of the Year Awards ceremony, Acting President Mujuru said China provided a huge market for agricultural produce in Africa.
“The Chinese Vice Minister of Trade and Commerce clearly stated that his country has an expanding population and could not fully supply itself in terms of resources.
“The vast Asian country, therefore, presents a vast market for African produce,” she said.
Acting President Mujuru encouraged farmers to venture into bigger projects. Agriculture, the Acting President said, required co-operation of all stakeholders for its success.
She urged companies and all service providers to be visible and contribute towards revival of the agriculture sector.
“For one to mine and operate machines, he needs food. In this country we are under sanctions, but we can still work hard to reduce their effects on our nation,” she said.
She discouraged dependency on handouts and urged people to work hard and provide for themselves.
“I am also looking at how best people can be empowered to improve their families’ livelihoods and contribute to the nation as well,” she said.
On the awards, Acting President Mujuru said these recognised farmers’ efforts and motivated them to continue farming.
Winners walked away with ploughs, harrows, fertilisers and tobacco wrapping papers with the grand prize being a tractor. Hurungwe farmer Mr Hillary Mombeshora of Muzarabani walked away with the tractor in the commercial sector after delivering more than 1 000kg to the auction floors.
Mr Albert Chikuvadze won a grinding mill as first prize in the small-scale sector for his deliveries of more than 600kg.
The Tetrad Group, ZFC, Propak, Agricura, Veterinary Distributors, Barclays Bank, BancABC Tacshen and Expo sales among others sponsored the prizes.
Zimbabwe has registered a growth of 18 percent in the agriculture sector, with tobacco contributing 30 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.