Lloyd Gumbo Senior Reporter
The parliamentary portfolio committee on Lands, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development has recommended that the Agriculture and Rural Development Authority enters into joint ventures in order to improve its productivity. The committee, chaired by Zanu-PF MP for Muzarabani South, Cde Christopher Chitindi observed that estates that were under joint ventures performed better than the ones wholly-owned by Arda.
There are 12 estates that are under joint ventures while nine are wholly-owned by Arda. In the first draft that was presented to Parliament last week, the committee raised concern with negligence in the management of Arda equipment at some estates.
The 12 estates that are joint ventures include; Chisumbanje, Middle Sabi, Katiyo, Mkwasine, Sisi, Nandi, Faire Acres, Jotsholo, Antelope, Ngwezi, Sedgewik and Doreen’s Pride. Those that are wholly managed by Government include; Balu, Sanyati, Muzarabani, Mushumbi Pools, Nijo, Katiyo Main Estate, Rusitu, Magudu and Kairezi.
Said the committee: “The committee managed to visit Doreen’s Pride Estate in Kadoma district and Antelope Farm in Kezi, under Matobo district. Both estates are under one investor known as Trek Petroleum.
“The authority entered into a joint venture agreement with Trek Petroleum and at the time of the committee’s visit (to Doreen’s Pride estate), the investor was in the process of installing centre pivots and irrigation infrastructure in preparation for the summer cropping season.
“The estate had begun intensive livestock farming and has imported over 600 different types of cattle breeds from Namibia. Currently, the farm employs 12 permanent and 78 seasonal workers, largely drawn from the local community.”
The committee said there was high morale amongst workers following the joint venture.
The committee added that Antelope Farm in Kezi is also under a five-year joint venture agreement with Trek Petroleum where about 690 hectares of land were under wheat that was almost ready for harvesting with a buyer having already been found.
“The committee was informed that plans were in place to expand the estate to 3 000 hectares of land and 150 hectares from the total hectarage will be reserved for out grower schemes, as a way of empowering the local communities.”
On the contrary, at farms wholly-managed by Arda, the committee observed that they were in a sorry state after visiting Sanyati Estate in Sanyati and Nijo Estate, just outside Harare.
“On the visit to Arda Sanyati, the committee noted with concern that there was no visible security at the premises and most of the machinery and equipment at the farm was being vandalised such as centre pivots, irrigation pumps and transformers.
“It was evident that there was gross negligence and undue care over Government assets. There are about 1 600 hectares of land, of which 800 is irrigable with a capacity to grow crops such as wheat, maize, cotton, soya beans and sugar beans. The estate also has 85 herd of cattle, most of which are affected by common livestock diseases,” said the committee.