Italian biochem giant seeks collaboration with Zim

ZIMBABWE last week received a delegation from Novamont, a Versailles biochemical company based in Italy, and leader in Europe and across the globe in the production of completely biodegradable and compostable polymers used to manufacture mulching films for agriculture as well as biodegradable plastic for used food packaging and as food waste bags.

Novamont also produces bio-herbicides and bio-stimulants that can be applied to a variety of crops, including tobacco, which is critical for Zimbabwe, one of the biggest producers of the crop in Africa.

Italian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Umberto Malnati, facilitated and organised meetings with high-level representatives of key institutions in the agricultural and environment protection sectors, including the Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka, directors of the Environmental Management Agency, Agricultural Research Centre and Tobacco Research Board.

The delegation also met senior management of the Agriculture and Rural Development Authority, agricultural input distributors and other important stakeholders in the Zimbabwean economy.

All the meetings were characterised by an authentic spirit of collaboration and enthusiasm from both parties.

The advantage of the application of these new technologies in terms of improvement of agricultural productivity, protection of health for the workers, protection of the soil and concrete contribution to the fight against climate change was recognised and appreciated.

All the parties are committed to starting trials in the field for all the technologies presented. This provides an immediate and solid step to materialise the development cooperation strategies expressed with the ‘Piano Mattei” unveiled during the recent Italy-Africa Summit held in Rome.

Piano Mattei is a strategic plan for improved relations with the African continent in the coming years. It sets out framework for collaboration to fight inequalities, climate change and extreme poverty in the years to come to have an equitable Italy-Africa partnership.