Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga – [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has signed a US$112 million deal with a Belarusian company for the construction and upgrading of five bulk handling silos across the country as a part of measures to ensure increased agricultural production in the country.]
This was said by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Dr John Basera during a Midlands provincial maize crop field day and wheat pre-planting seminar held in Kwekwe on Saturday.
The highly automated silos, which will also have driers, are expected to play a key role in the smooth transition from one season to the other as the country seeks to maximise agricultural production.
The development comes at a time when most farmers in Midlands Province were delivering their yield to Chegutu and Bulawayo depots where there are bulk silos thereby compromising the provincial gross domestic product (GDP).
“We have signed a deal with a Belarusian company worth US$112 million for the construction and refurbishing of about five silo depots throughout the country. The first one will be in Kwekwe where we have noticed that the production by farmers warrants a bulk silo,” he said.
Dr Basera said the move was also in line with devolution, adding that it is key in the smooth transition from one season to the other.
“This is in line with devolution and provincial GDP and infrastructural development.
“We need to be clear in terms of provincial development. Besides, it reduces the harvesting and packaging cost and ensures a smooth transition from one season to the other,” he said.
“As an interim measure, we have waived the standard moisture for now from 12,5 percent to about 13 percent to ensure that there is a quick transition from one season to the other. This before the construction of the highly automated silos and the driers.”
Host farmer Mr Charles Knight applauded Dr Basera for releasing another combine harvester to the province.
Mr Knight who owns a 50-hectare piece of land, put 21 hectares under wheat and due to lack of combine harvesters, is yet to harvest.
“As you can see, we are running out of time to plant our wheat because of a lack of harvesters. The gesture by Dr Basera is very much welcome as it will enable us to plant on time. We are very grateful to him,” he said.
Mr Knight is also into soya beans farming, goat and cattle rearing.
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