Mujuru pleads for partnerships to save agriculture
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/
26.02.13
by Tarisai Jangara
Zimbabwe needs strategic business partnerships in the agriculture sector to
ensure it is adequately funded for the country to regain its bread basket
status.
Zimbabwe was at one time well-renowned as a vibrant farming country, until
agriculture was disrupted by an unplanned land redistribution programme that
started in 2000 and drove away close to 5,000 commercial white farmers.
The period coincided with a series of droughts that further brought
production down.
Mujuru told a visiting business delegation from the United Arab Emirates
that Zimbabwe was keen to do business with the Asian country and was also
looking for business partnerships in the areas of mining, energy and tourism
which face serious funding problems.
“We wish to develop irrigation infrastructure for increased agricultural
production. Water bodies, land and technical knowledge are some of the
critical resources that we clearly have.
“The missing link is agriculture financing. Once financing in its various
forms is added to the model, agriculture becomes a reality, so we will be
the source of adequate food and nutrition security not only for Zimbabweans,
but our neighbours and the rest of the world which include the UAE,” she
said.
Sheikh Saud, a member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of the Ras al
Khaimah is in the country with his business delegation to explore business
opportunities in Zimbabwe.
Saud said his country was willing to embark on partnerships that would
transform Zimbabwe’s economy, adding peace was the breeding ground for
economic prosperity.
“ We are willing to partner with Zimbabwe to boost its economy only after we
have done a scan of the environment,” he said.
Mujuru invited the UAE to partner Zimbabwe in the energy sector and
alleviate the country’s energy woes that have resulted in acute power cuts.
Mujuru added: “For all we know, generation of electricity will have a
catalytic effect on the performance of other sectors in the economy and is
therefore a priority.”
She said the country was suffering from a liquidity crunch that has crippled
potentially profitable ventures such as the pharmaceutical business and
mining.