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Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
CHINESE investment in skills development and technology transfer is bearing fruit with the Zimbabwean component of the Zim-China Wanjin Agricultural Development (Pvt) Ltd expected to continue with operations as the multimillion-dollar agriculture concern restructures.
The Chinese investors, Anhui Provincial State Farms Group, are pulling out after 14 years at Hunyani Farm in Chinhoyi, leaving the local board, management, experts and consultancy to continue with operations.
Others players in the partnership, which was initiated by President Mnangagwa in 2010 as then Minister of Defence, include Ministry of Defence and Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT).
This was part of the Look East Policy which Government adopted after lines of credit were cut.
Government established the company to promote household food security and reserve the scarce foreign currency as a sanction busting measure after Western countries imposed illegal sanctions following the Agrarian Land Reform Programme.
Hunyani Farm has progressively increased production through introduction of new technologies and systems from China, which have made the farm a major producer of grain in Mashonaland West Province.
Speaking at the commissioning of the 3 500 tonne dryer and silo plant yesterday, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who was represented by her deputy Brigadier-General Levi Mayihlome, said the partnership had brought economic and skills development.
“As we commission this project today, the company is undergoing a restructuring exercise where our Chinese friends in the joint venture are pulling out after 14 years of operation in Zimbabwe,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
“We sincerely appreciate the skills transfer and technical expertise we gained from this strategic partnership. Let me point out that the Ministry of Defence, through the company’s local board and management structure, identified local consultants to continue with the agriculture projects initiated by the company at both Hunyani and Sisi farms.”
Top farmers in Mashonaland West province, Dr Tinashe Ziki and Mr Michael Mutasa, have been engaged as consultants for the project.
“Both are local farmers who have been chosen on merit, expertise and capacity in agricultural technology in line with the mantra ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo…ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’,” Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said.
She said food insecurity was a threat to national security, hence the involvement of the Ministry of Defence in agriculture.
Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos said commissioning of the Hunyani Farm dryer and silo plant marked a significant milestone in Government efforts to improve food security and enhance productivity.
Dep Minister Haritatos said the dryer and silo plant, constructed at a cost of US$1,2 million with materials and technology from China, was important in reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing the quality of crops for the local and international market.
Mashonaland West provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo, who was represented by permanent secretary Mr Josphat Jaji, said the project represented the enduring friendship of China and Zimbabwe which dates back to the days of the liberation struggle.
Online Reporter