Anju Prison Farm comes tops

This was said during a field day held at the farm on Friday.
The farm is owned by the Zimbabwe Prison Services (ZPS) and is situated in Nyamandlovu and covers about 30 hectares.
Last year it came first for producing the best sugar bean crop in Matabeleland North.

In a speech read on her behalf by Mr Daniel Myers, the managing director of Pioneer Seeds, the Resident Minister and Governor of Matabeleland North, Thokozile Mathuthu, said ZPS had demonstrated that it was possible to excel in farming.
“In spite of the harsh economic environment coupled with erratic rainfall, I am pleased with the high standard of farming exhibited here.
“This really shows the determination by ZPS to return to our status as the bread basket of Africa,” said Governor Mathuthu.

She said there was a need for the Government to mobilise and assist farmers in order for them to produce volumes of maize that were commensurate with the needs of the nation.
“To enhance food production and security within this region, Government continues to pursue irrigation development as a long term strategy,” said Governor Mathuthu.

“It is therefore my appeal to all farmers that they should now focus on irrigation farming as the lasting solution to counter the effects of global warming.”
Mrs Pokiso Mashila, an officer from Agritex, urged farmers to practise conservation farming.
“We all know that this region is always receiving little rain, which has affected many farmers. Conservation farming requires them to mulch the ground, look for manure or compost instead of fertiliser and they will preserve lots of water,” said Mrs Mashila.

She said farmers needed to equip themselves with skills on how to farm and produce much under difficult conditions like little rainfall and economic challenges.
Mr Gilbert Sibanda, a representative of farmers in Nyamandlovu, said ZPS had proved to farmers in the province that it was possible to cultivate and harvest much under any circumstances.

“We have seen that farming is not only about land or money since these inmates have managed to plough using God’s way.
“They have excelled with limited resources and this is a lesson for all of us. Let us remember our theme which is ‘Break forth and blossom’,” said Mr Sibanda.

The officer-in-charge of the field, Chief Prison Officer                                                             Buka Ndebele, said it was part of ZPS’s responsibility to equip inmates with skills.
“Farming is part of our programmes as ZPS to equip the inmates with skills and we are hopeful they will be able to sustain themselves after leaving this place,” said Chief Prison Officer Ndebele.