Firms urged to start outgrower schemes

outgrower schemes.
Mashonaland Central Governor and Resident Minister Advocate Martin Dinha said the companies must take part in the indigenisation programme, which seeks to empower all Zimbabweans and to encourage everyone to take part in restoring the country’s status as the breadbasket of Africa.
He was speaking at a field day held at Glennara Estates just outside Harare.
Glennara Estates is part of the CFI Holdings group of companies that have three divisions – the poultry, specialised and retail sections.
Adv Dinha said well-established companies in agro-business should accommodate the new farmers in their developmental plans to eradicate the dependency syndrome.
“These schemes should be based on a cost recovery programme that will see both parties benefiting,” Adv Dinha said.
He said the only way Zimbabwe could achieve food security was through enhanced and optimal production that would also breathe life into industry.
“We need to change our perceptions and strive to build structures that add value to the country at the same time leaving a legacy for our families. We must create projects that are aimed at sustaining and creating employment.
“Zimbabwe is capable of busting sanctions through agriculture and by producing we will be showing those against the land reform programme that we are masters of our own destiny,” he said.
Adv Dinha reiterated that farmers should be more concerned with production rather than land disputes.
“It is a shame that some of us are still fighting over land. We were very successful in taking back our land so everyone should benefit from it now.
“This is not the time for us to be settling land disputes but time to be seeking ways of enhancing productivity.
“If you own a piece of land, no matter how small, you are far richer than those that possess money because money is in the land.
“You must know that it is not a bigger piece of land that matters but the amount of dedication and production that you invest in the land,” he said.