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Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
Chitomborwizi Network, in the formerly African Purchase Lands of Chitomborwizi in Makonde district of Mashonaland West province, has celebrated 28 years of promoting agricultural productivity through collaboration.
From its formation in 1996, the Network covers about 40 000ha and has now established a niche in diary and crop production.
The Network got 100 in-calf heifers from South Africa in 2015 and the number has grown to around 1 000 dairy heifers and three milk collection points to supply milk production companies such as Nestle among others.
It comprised luminaries, including the late Dr Swithan Mombeshora, Dr Ignatius Chombo, Professor Caiphus Nziramasanga and Mr Phineas Makumbe who hail from the area and combined their expertise to help improve collaboration, synergies and production.
Chitomborwizi Network chairman of the board of trustees Mr Peter Muzariri said people from the area realised that there was need to intervene after production slumped following the death or incapacitation of the first generation of farmers.
“This is a network dealing in various forms of production, including diary and crop production. We have noted over time that things have gone down and we wanted a way of reinvigorating production,” said Mr Muzariri.
Guest of honour, Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said land holders should empower the new generation to practice smart agriculture through knowledge gained from the country’s education.
“As part of succession planning, we would like to see more of the new generation taking an active role to introduce new farming methods and zeal,” said Minister Chombo.
“Chitomborwizi Network is pushing the Devolution and Vision 2030 agenda by collaborating towards increased production. Productivity is one of the pillars of achieving economic development.”
The Network is working with the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), Nestle and the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF)
Online Reporter