THE government has rallied farmers to take up the joint venture initiative amid the conviction that it is key in unlocking agricultural potential in the country.
A field day held at Tichaona Mapfoche’s Victory Farm in Mhangura this Wednesday has shone the spotlight on the success of joint ventures in boosting agricultural productivity.
The farmer has planted 650 hectares of winter wheat under the joint venture initiative with the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority.
“Through the ARDA joint venture model, we have managed to plant over 640 hectares across four farms. This partnership has brought in mechanisation, inputs, and expert support. The results are visible as we have been recording increased yields, job creation, and rural empowerment. Access to working capital was a nightmare for potential farmers, but now everything is in order,” Mapfoche said.
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Honourable Anxious Masuka, revealed that ARDA has since been capacitated to lead the scaling up of these strategic partnerships, bringing idle and underutilised land into full production, while ensuring food security and economic growth.
“As a government, we are deploying various strategies to transform the agricultural sector from capacitating farmers and parastatals like ARDA to improving irrigation, mechanisation, and market access. Joint ventures are proving to be a key tool in achieving our targets. Under mechanisation, we are expecting at least 700 tractors this year, while ARDA has been mandated to produce at least 500 metric tonnes of strategic grains each year through promoting irrigation across its estates,” he said.
“Here in Mashonaland West, there are vast investment opportunities in agriculture from crops to livestock and agro-processing. We call upon investors to partner with the government and local farmers to unlock this potential. In terms of land, we have around 45 000 hectares of underdeveloped land which require investments. Joint ventures are most welcome because they are promoting dual benefits to both the farm owner and investor,” Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Marian Chombo stated.
The national agricultural transformation drive has also impressed the visiting Namibian delegation, which is in the country to attend the Mashonaland West Provincial Agricultural Show.
“We are pleased to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mashonaland West Province aimed at promoting regional cooperation through the exchange of agricultural knowledge, expertise, and best practices. This partnership reflects our shared vision of empowering our communities and transforming our economies through sustainable agriculture. We also want to commend His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, for championing a successful agricultural revolution in Zimbabwe, one that puts grassroots needs at the centre of development. His leadership continues to inspire the region and sets a strong example of people-driven progress,” Namibia’s Kavango East Region Governor, Honourable Hambyuka Julius Hamunyeara said.
The field day also featured exhibitions and demonstrations aimed at encouraging knowledge sharing among farmers, especially around climate-smart practices and commercial farming models, with the use of modern technologies like drones taking centre stage.
