ZNA members in master farming courses
ZIMBABWE National Army (ZNA) members from various provinces who have engaged in master farmer training course have started reaping benefits from Government’s push not to leave anyone or place behind in developmental programmes, with Agritex training them on ways of boosting productivity and incomes.
This comes as the country journeys towards the attainment of its vision of becoming an upper middle income economy by 2030.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony of 2021-2023 ZNA master farmer training course held in Goromonzi, Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services chief director Professor Obert Jiri said the programmes will equip uniformed forces with the prerequisite skills to sustain themselves and the country in light of Vision 2030.
He urged them to continue implementing good agronomic practices which are key in enhancing productivity.
‘’It’s you who is going to lead in farming and contribute to national security,” said Dr Jiri. “We also expect you to lead in farmers’ schools. There is a need to revolutionise agriculture to eliminate hunger. We should be at the epicentre of the country’s efforts to end food insecurity.
“People should not take this programme for granted, this is a practical solution and never underestimate the power of this programme. We need to produce our own food and contribute to food security.”
Director of Combined Training of Army and Airforce, who is also a pilot, Custon Dengu said the training will enable him to acquire requisite skills that critical in farming, adding that this will help him to improve productivity at his farm.
‘’I have 75 hectares in Centenary,” he said. “I want to equip myself with the requisite skills. Professionally l trained as a pilot. I joined the service in 1982. I grow mainly tobacco and l also keep a large herd of cattle.
“I want to acquire the knowledge in farming. I have a great passion in farming but l focus more on tobacco growing. I acquired the land in 2002. I am expecting to sell 40 bales of tobacco from a total hectarage of 4000. My wife stays there and she is the one who is managing. I can now discover that the decreases in yields and low profits were as the result of lack of knowledge.”
ZNA Retired Brig General Shadreck Shamhu said the programme is an eye opener to enhance agriculture, adding that he supplies potatoes to various supermarkets.
‘’I am doing my farming in Goromonzi where I have 15ha of land. Land is not about the hectarage but its about how you utilise the land. This training has helped me a lot to improve my farming. I used to produce six tonnes per hectare but now I can produce almost 10 tonnes per hectare.
“I am expecting to improve from this current 10 tonnes per hectare because of requisite skills l gained so far. I am also into goat production and potato growing although I focus on other crops.”
Forty four ZNA members including 38 men and six women were awarded with certificates in Master farming course. The training course runs from 2021 to 2023 covering different topics on crop and livestock management.
The Land Reform Programme is a game changer in Zimbabwe’s economy that has resulted in the positive transformation of people’s livelihoods.
The programme had empowered numerous indigenous people who previously were deprived of their birthright by a minority white regime. New farmers were now creating vast employment opportunities for youths and making significant contributions to the national granary.
Farming was a robust business which should be embraced to reinforce economic growth and bring meaningful changes to the economic trajectory long damaged by sanction.
Agriculture is the cornerstone of the country’s economy and ZNA is working flat out to ensure that Zimbabwe retains its bread basket status in Africa through implementing Government programmes which are aimed at tackling food insecurity in the country.