Russia, Zim boost agric ties

RELATIONS between Zimbabwe and Russia in agriculture are set to deepen, with the two countries examining a model to facilitate the setting up of agricultural machinery and equipment centres across the country.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made, who was recently in Russia, on Thursday confirmed the developments.

Dr Made was invited by the Minister of Agriculture for Russia, Dr Alexander Tkachev and also met with Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Mr Alexander Morozov.

He said he had wide and deep discussions on the two countries’ relations in different fields, including fertiliser supplies, combine harvesters, grain storage, dairy equipment and livestock machinery and equipment.

Dr Made and Dr Tkachev discussed extensively on livestock machinery and equipment, export of citrus and other horticultural crops, export of beef, livestock remedies and irrigation development.

“The two countries are examining a model that will facilitate the setting up of agricultural machinery and equipment centres across the country,” said Dr Made.

“The machinery and equipment will be related to specialised equipment for specific crop and livestock production systems.”

Chief among the discussions of the two counterparts was the strict adherence to maintaining genetically modified organism ( GMO) free status.

Dr Tkachev expressed appreciation of high quality citrus being exported by Zimbabwe to Russia. Dr Made said relations also related to wheat trade between the two countries.

“Russia has already designated two senior officers in the field of agriculture, who will be working specifically on the Zimbabwean projects,” he said.

Dr Made also met his Brazilian counterpart Dr Blairo Maggi, who had also been invited by Russian Minister of Agriculture.