Farmers urged to increase production
FARMERS in Matabeleland South province have been encouraged to increase production as a way of unlocking the potential of agriculture and help boost the economy.
Speaking during the official opening of the 59th edition of the Matabeleland South Agricultural Society Show yesterday, Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage Minister Abednico Ncube said agriculture still had the potential of reviving the country’s economy but it was up to local farmers to work towards reviving its potential.
The show was held under the theme: “Sustainable livelihoods through transformed agriculture.”
Minister Ncube said people had to realise that in all cases charity begins at home.
“We must grow our own food. We must feed ourselves. We must create markets locally for our own farmers. Charity begins at home. To unlock the potential of agriculture to once again drive the economy, we embarked on a major transformation of the agricultural sector. We are doing this through the rapid transformation of key agricultural value chains, from the farm to the table. We are treating agriculture as a money making business,” said Minister Ncube.
He said the Government was working towards integrating small, medium and large-scale farmers to ensure that they wholesomely contribute towards the development of the country.
“We are working to create ecosystems in which small, medium and large-scale farming not only to co-exist but also to flourish. We are focusing on creating value added products from staple crops through an aggressive import substitution programme and other policy reforms to accelerate food production and agricultural resilience.
“There is nothing more important than food. Growing our own food, processing what we produce, becoming competitive in export markets and creating jobs all across our economy, are crucial for our national development. Agriculture is the sector where we have the greatest potential to achieve this and now is the time.”
He said the Government was now heavily investing in command agriculture with the Matabeleland South targeting 2 500 hectares for summer maize grain for the 2016–2017 agricultural season.
Speaking at the same function the Matabeleland South Agricultural Society Show president, Mr Kuzi Ncube said they were happy with this year’s show as they had recorded a 100 percent uptake of stands with 18 new exhibitors coming on board. “This shows the confidence that exhibitors have in us, and perhaps the value that is derived from exhibiting in Matabeleland South. The number of farmers exhibiting also increased this year, though there is a decrease in the cattle section due to the Foot and Mouth Disease that has affected some of our district,” said Mr Ncube. Also present at the official opening were Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Aaron Maboyi Ncube, Gwanda Town Mayor, Councillor Knowledge Ndlovu, Matabeleland South acting Provincial Administrator, Mr Peter Moyo, Chief Masuku, MPS; Cde Andrew Langa (Insiza North), Cde Never Khanye (Matobo North) and other senior Gov e r nme nt officials.