Farmers welcome stockfeed plant

FARMERS in the Midlands Province have welcomed the commissioning of the Norton stockfeed plant which opened last week.

The $15 million stockfeed manufacturing plant was commissioned by Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union Midlands chapter chairperson Mr Alpha Manjera said the move would result in affordable prices of stockfeed.

“As the farmers’ body, we are very happy about the development because it shows that the Government is committed to improving the farming sector,” he said.

“Production in most farms that deal with animal husbandry will certainly go up and farmers will be able to export some of their produce bringing, foreign currency into the country.”

Mr Manjera said the move will boost the recently launched command livestock programme.

“Recently, the Government launched command livestock and obviously the demand of stockfeed has gone up,” he said. “The stockfeed plant will complement the programme so that it becomes a success.”

Mr Manjera implored Government to help farmers secure markets for their produce.

“We are appealing to the Government to assist us in securing markets for our products. That will go a long way in making farming a success in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Mrs Muchaneta Dube, a farmer based in Shurugwi South who runs a piggery project, applauded Government for the development.

“This is a milestone for all farmers in the country and indeed a good job by the Government and we are really grateful,” she said. “It will mean that feeds will be locally made and that will mean the prices will be affordable. There would not be any shortages of the stockfeed like what used to happen and obviously with such a move, the production in chicken, pork, beef and milk will shoot up.”