Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has implored Zanu-PF Central Committee members to enhance their agricultural production, to help attain the country’s Vision 2030 of an upper middle-income status.
During a visit to the First Family Pricabe Farm in Kwekwe on Sunday, Central Committee members were implored to put their shoulders to the wheel and gird the loins towards achieving national aspirations through hard work.
The President said learning from both experienced farmers and successful practices is crucial for improving agricultural output.
“We must measure ourselves with the best… Results will show whether you are improving or you are not,” said the President, whose farm is one of the most thriving in the country.
President Mnangagwa urged Zanu-PF Central Committee members to learn the best farming practices, not only from him but also from other experienced hands to improve agricultural production.
“We must measure ourselves with the best, come here and learn for free. You pay nothing for learning. Results will show whether you are improving or you are not, because you are measuring with what has been achieved before,” said President Mnangagwa.
Pricabe Farm exemplifies agricultural productivity, showcasing thriving crops such as wheat, maize and potatoes, among others along with various livestock breeds, including the renowned Ankole breed, which was first domesticated in parts of Africa such as Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya.
President Mnangagwa underscored the value of modern research and continuous learning in farming.
“The best way of improving yields is to learn from others… If you want to develop, match yourself with the best available.”
He shared his practice of sending farm managers to learn from those achieving higher yields.
The President’s goal is to foster a culture of improvement, among Zimbabweans.
President Mnangagwa also spoke of the need to harness modern research methods to realise maximum yields.
Despite being the President, the country’s First Citizen also learns from more experienced farmers from within and outside the country.
In that regard, the President told the Central Committee members that whenever he hears of someone who is getting better yields than him, he will send his farm manager to enquire and learn how they are doing it.
“Saka kana muchidawo munouya pano kuti how do you achieve that yield per hectare? So, try always to find somebody who does better than you, go and learn. That’s the only way you can develop. If you want to develop, match yourself with the best available.
“Ndikangonzwa kuti kune mumwe anoita ma tonnes akati wandei kana kuSouth Africa anoenda (farm manager) kuti anoona kuti how does that person do it and try to do the same and get the maximum yields.
“We take notes and try to do the same and beat his record. If we beat that record we search for another farmer who is on top of the rest. So that’s how it should be. Zvino zvamauya pano kana mune mapurazi come here and confront my managers and learn how they are doing it from land preparation, planting and yields.
“Kana ukaona kuti zvatiri kuita zviri pasi panezvaurikuita, tsvaka anokukunda kurima. That’s the only way you can do better. Zvekuti kune madivisi, hakuna, kahuna mushonga kurima. It’s just a question of doing your best and applying the best methods available. You will get the results,” said the President.
This has resulted in Pricabe becoming one of the best farms in Zimbabwe.
The President also addressed the economic aspects of farming, urging members to ensure their yields exceed production costs.
Additionally, the President is venturing into manufacturing, having set up a bakery and maize milling plant, to value add the farm’s produce.
“Each time you plant your crop, you should aim for better yields than in the previous season,” he said, stressing the importance of food security and self-reliance for the nation.
President Mnangagwa’s leadership aims to ensure that Zimbabwe becomes a competitive force in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, reinforcing the idea that the country must be nourished by its people, as espoused in the phrase “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo.”
The Central Committee members expressed their enthusiasm for the President’s work ethic and requested that he extends his term beyond 2028 to fully realise Vision 2030.
