Arda farms on the brink

Elita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
TWENTY farms owned by the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority are lying idle with Chisumbanje the only one operating viably, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister responsible for Crops and Mechanisation Davis Marapira has said.

The parastatal is facing financial challenges that are threatening 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. We are targeting to resuscitate at least two irrigation schemes per province including Arda estates,” 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.

Under BOT, the partner improves the land, funds projects and works with Arda staff for a minimum of three years. On joint ventures, Mr Mbona said: “A partner comes from outside, creates a company or companies to manage Arda estates. The partner brings funds while Arda has land, equipment and labour.”