Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
FARMERS in Manicaland Province have been urged to consider sub-contracting idle land to established farmers and agri-businesses to maximise production.

Speaking at Enhoek Farm in Chipinge last week, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the province, especially Chipinge District, was a sleeping giant which had potential of generating much needed foreign currency if farms were fully utilised.

Enhoek Farm is one of the leading producers of tea, macadamia nuts and avocados in the country.

“Let’s consider partnering well-established companies who are in the agriculture sector and explore new avenues with them so that we sell our produce to their markets,” said Sen                                         Mutsvangwa.

“We have a lot of local farmers who grow cash crops such as macadamia nuts, tea, coffee, timber, avocados and sugarcane but these farmers are failing to get proper markets unlike big companies who have a ready market outside the country.

“The Government has set up a framework which allows subcontracting between local farmers and potential investors, hence small- scale farmers should venture into an outgrower scheme where they will partner big companies to maximise production on idle farms in a win-win situation.”

Sen Mutsvangwa urged farmers to adapt and grow new crops and varieties which have a higher demand on the local and international market.

Chipinge district is home to some of the biggest agro-based companies like Tanganda Tea Company (macadamia nuts and tea), Ariston Holdings (macadamia nuts and tea), Rating, Macdom Investment (sugar cane) and Makandi (bananas and macadamia nuts).

Speaking at the same event, Enhoek director Mr Steyl Willemse pledged to assist outgrowers and partner them in growing cash crops.

“Our farm has so far assisted a number of outgrowers to sell their crops such macadamia nuts and avocados to the markets,” he said.

“We also donated macadamia seedlings and technical knowledge so that they can expand their farms.”