‘Province has vast agric potential’

MANICALAND has great potential for diversified commercial farming and horticultural produce due to its unique endowment of the five agro-ecological regions, a Government official has said.

Speaking at a breakfast meeting with the business community in Mutare last week, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba said there was need to bring in more machinery and equipment to increase productivity in the province.

“What is required of us is to revitalise and add value to this sector by bringing in modern agricultural machinery and equipment so that we increase productivity,” she said.

Dr Gwaradzimba said among other agricultural products being farmed in Manicaland, macadamia nuts were one of the valuable products which needed to be ring-fenced to attract more foreign currency.

“Production of Macadamia nuts is only done in Manicaland Province and it is our collective responsibility to ring-fence and protect this nut because it earns us reasonable foreign currency,” she said.

“This is a more valuable product next to gold in which potential foreign currency can be significantly earned. Exports of macadamia nuts in value added form should be prioritised so that we benefit immensely as a province and generate more employment for our locals.”

Dr Gwaradzimba urged commercial farmers to take up serious avocado production.

“I urge all commercial farmers growing avocado trees to take this business seriously and aim to increase productivity,” she said.

“This is also one area where we call upon our farmers to prioritise on value addition instead of just concentrating on sorting and packing them for exports.”