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Herald Reporter
Bindura University of Science Education has been allocated Glen Avlin Farm as part of Government efforts to increase food productivity and subsidise food for students.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Advocate Martin Dinha at the handover of the farm, chief Agritex officer Mr Stancilae Tapererwa said the 540-hectare farm was critical for the university.
“The farm is more compact than the Barassie Farm the university had before in that there were a number of operational problems, including conflicts of occupancy, illegal gold prospecting, rampant trespassing and theft of produce,” he said.
“The university was being limited from fully utilising its capabilities by these problems, hence the need to come up with solutions.
“The relocation of the farm can be used in setting a model farm to advance teaching, learning, research and extension and of the total hectarage, 215ha is irrigable and has permanent underground piping,” Minister Dinha said.
The university’s vice chancellor Professor Eddie Mwenje, said the farm would mostly benefit the 850 students under the faculty of agriculture and environmental science.
“We will use the farm for farming maize, sorghum and wheat among other grain crops and venture into beef, piggery and poultry in line with the economic blueprint Zim-Asset. We anticipate to contribute to the 1,4 million metric tonnes target set by the Government for next year,” he said.
“This will also support teaching and research activities which will generate income for the benefit of university students.”
Online Reporter