Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
TREK Petroleum has injected more than $2, 7 million into massive wheat and maize production projects in Matabeleland South in a bid to enhance food security and nutrition in the province.

The projects, which are being run in conjunction with the Agricultural Development Authority (Arda), will see the province producing more than 3,000 tonnes of wheat and maize per year.

Arda board chairperson Basil Nyabadza told The Chronicle that the projects would go a long way in eradicating poverty in the Matabeleland region.

He said the projects are already running at Arda Antelope Estate in Maphisa and Arda Ngwezi Estate in Mangwe District.

“This is a rural development project that will definitely improve food security in Matabeleland region. We’ve partnered with TREK and it has availed $1,2 million for wheat production in Maphisa and $1,5 million for maize production in Ngwezi.

“During the last two seasons, the two irrigation schemes have been underutilised because of lack of funding. We decided to implement the Private, Public Partnerships (PPP) policy and engaged TREK as our partner in this project. This is a five-year renewable project that will make a big difference to the region,” said Nyabadza, who is also the chairman of the Small Grains Producers Association (SGPA).

Nyabadza said the project was in line with ZimAsset.

He said the province would soon move from being a recipient of food to a source of food.

“The project fits in well with one of the ZimAsset goals, which is to enhance food security. Both the targeted areas have wonderful sources of water, vast land and manpower, which is all that’s needed in producing abundant food for the nation.

“There has been a perception that Matabeleland region is for livestock only but we decided to grow cereals. I’m certain that the yield would be very good. The benefits will soon be there for people to see,” said Nyabadza.

He said between February and March this year, the projects had created more than 225 jobs for local people. Job creation is another tenet of ZimAsset.

Nyabadza said the local community and its leadership had embraced the projects and given them maximum support.

“Besides employment creation, the community has more to benefit because TREK will engage a non-governmental organisation that will provide skills training to the community in conjunction with Agritex. This will help us produce good quality products and have a common goal with the community,” said Nyabadza.

He commended Trek Petroleum for providing financial support to the Arda projects. Nyabadza said it was possible for the country to export instead of importing food.

“Farming is an area where we battle to attract investment because a lot of money is required but I’m happy that Trek has offered support and displayed tremendous commitment to the development of the country.

“We’ve been working very well with the company since the commencement of the project and they’ve honoured their words,” said Nyabadza.

He said the company had also imported a total of 2,000 heifers to enhance breeding in Matabeleland.

“The heifers are already in the province and these will go a long way in improving the national herd. We’re also planning to set up a dairy project in Matabeleland North Province,” said Nyabadza.

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko visited the Arda Antelope project last week and was impressed with the progress made.

“I’m impressed by what I’ve seen here. This is what we want to see in every part of the country. Good projects like these require committed people who don’t look at things from an expatriate point of view.

“What I’ve seen here is enough evidence that ZimAsset goals can be achieved. I’m glad that the government has provided tractors for each province and these should make life easier for us. It’s clear that the President doesn’t want people to live in poverty,” said VP Mphoko.

He warned government officials and traditional leaders against sabotaging such developmental projects for their own personal agendas, saying the government would not hesitate to fire such people.