adminElita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
TWENTY ARDA farms are lying idle with only Chisumbanje operating viably, Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister Responsible for Crops and Mechanisation, Cde Davis Marapira has said.The parastatal is facing serious financial challenges that threaten its survival.
“The parastatal has 21 farms with 98 000 hectares of arable land with an irrigable capacity of 19 000 hectares. Out of these farms only Chisumbanje is viable.
“We would want to resuscitate Arda irrigation schemes to boost agricultural production. We are encouraging Arda management to come up with the public-private-partnerships to ensure all the land is utilised,” he said.
He said on some Arda estates equipment was vandalised.
“We are in the process of carrying out feasibility studies at all Arda estates for resuscitation,” he said. Government is also encouraging value addition of agricultural products similar to what is happening at the Chisumbanje where Green Fuel is producing ethanol.
“The same should happen to wheat estates. We should produce flour on site,” he said. He said Government should support irrigation development as agriculture was the backbone of the economy. Arda acting general manager Mr William Mbona said they were considering build-operate-transfer and rehabilitate-operate-transfer contract systems and joint ventures.
“These arrangements will enhance capacity at Arda Estates. Under the ROT, the partner rehabilitates the infrastructure and operates for a minimum of three years.
“The land and the repaired equipment will remain in the hands of the state,” he said.
Online Reporter