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“The SeedCo National Crop Farming competition dedicated to small-scale farmers is a major and important event on our agricultural calendar. Moreso, because this competition is aligned with Government’s thrust of increasing agricultural production and productivity. This will enhance household and national food security and ensures Zimbabwe regains its bread basket status of the Sadc region as well as Comesa and even Africa.
The small-holder farming sector over the years produces the bulk of maize grain in the country. It is for this reason that the sector is important in our quest to achieve food security,” said VP Mujuru.
The Government’s commitment to agriculture, she said, was evident in the training of competent highly qualified field extension officers and the engaging of private players like SeedCo in the provision of incentives and inputs to small-scale farmers.
The Vice-President said private players like SeedCo were playing a critical role in enhancing production in agriculture through the provision of appropriate seed varieties that suit different farming regions.
She said in the past, the country used to import seed but now had access to seed to meet export markets’ demand.
“We now have a seed security of 64 000 tonnes. Yet we only need about 25 000 tonnes of seed. Seed companies also need to focus more on small grains likes sugar beans and sorghum. I am glad to hear that SeedCo is planning to venture into potato seed. This is good news as there is a shortage of seed potato in the country. There is also a danger of using contaminated seed as it affects yield,” said VP Mujuru.
The Vice-President said it was encouraging to note the zeal and commitment among small-scale farmers to empower themselves through farming.
She said small-scale farmers were diversifying into tobacco farming and doing well.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and small-scale farmers have been doing well for many years, especially in maize farming and cotton growing. Of late, a number of them diversified into tobacco farming and they are doing very well. I hope seed companies match this zeal and provide our farmers with necessary support in inputs,” said VP Mujuru.
“As we prepare for the 2012/2013 planting season, I would like to ask all players in the agricultural sector supplying inputs to do their best and have these inputs available on time and as close to the farmers as possible.”
She said there were 5 200 Agritex workers in the country most of whom had benefited motorbikes from SeedCo.
“The 5 200 Agritex officers we have translates to four officers per ward. We also have a further 800 livestock extension officers dedicated to livestock, that is cattle, dairy, pigs, poultry, bees and fish. I want at this juncture to challenge SeedCo to start venturing into other forms of farming like bee-keeping and assist our farmers in this regard.
The Government is committed to ensuring that the right kind of support is given to our farmers as we prioritise the need to rebuild our food reserves, generate exportable commodities and consolidate the land and agrarian reform programme.
“Zimbabwe needs competent agricultural extension officers to help enhance production in the sector. I therefore call upon those officers with certificates to upgrade their qualifications and get diplomas at training centres like Chibero, Mlezu, Esigodini and Rio Tinto. They should go for modular courses and upgrade their qualifications to diplomas,” said VP Mujuru.
The Vice-President also praised SeedCo’s expansion programme that has resulted in the giant seed company setting base in the following countries: Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, the DRC and now Nigeria.
Mr Ambulance Ncube of Nyaje area, Midlands, was the national winner and he walked away with $1 000 and a brand new tractor while Mrs Ottilia Kandira of Mashonaland East came second and won a grinding mill and $500 cash.
SeedCo also committed itself to be the patron of nearby Nyaje Primary School after a pupil at the school had presented a moving poem on the school’s challenges.
The pupil, a girl, pleaded with the seed company to extend the same benevolence to the school as it has shown to farmers over the past decades.
SeedCo public relations manager Ms Marjory Mutemererwa, immediately responded by announcing that her company would be the school patron, pay fees and meet other expenses for 10 orphaned pupils and an equal number at Nyaje Secondary School, among other things.
Online Reporter