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Robin Muchetu Senor Reporter
THE Government will protect and support farmers who are productive and have good relations with people in communities they are operating in as a way of ensuring that they continue contributing to the growth of the agriculture sector, Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko has said. VP Mphoko said this on the sidelines of a tour of Merry Ellen Farm, run by Mr Peter Evans in Bubi District, Matabeleland North yesterday.
“It is important to have security when you are in this business, if you do not have any then it becomes difficult to operate, you cannot have any sound plans as you will not be sure of yourself. It is also vital to know the relations between the community and the farmer and I am happy here they said the relations are good, the community is benefiting greatly which is what we want. We appreciate that this farm is producing seed maize as this is what we need at this time, Panaar and other companies that were producing seed maize were now becoming expensive,” he said.
He said people should draw lessons from Mr Evans and Kezi farmer Mr Peter Cunningham who is also serving the community around him.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Mechanisation Davis Marapira who was part of the touring team said Merry Ellen Farm was one of the best farms he has visited in the country.
“This is one of the best in the nation, they have advanced technology in irrigation development which many farms do not have. Last year I encouraged the farmer to upgrade his irrigation technology and he was hesitant as there was no security of tenure but he agreed and he is doing well indeed,” he said.
The Deputy Minister said farmers like Mr Evans need to be assisted in getting the much needed security of tenure as they were contributing to the country’s food security.
Merry Ellen farm which is run by the Halsted family has a total of 1300 hectares of land of which 330 hectares are under irrigation. The farm produces maize seed from 100 hectares of land and the remaining 200 hectares is maize for commercial purposes.
MP and Minister of State in the office of VP Emmerson Mnangagwa Cde Clifford Sibanda said the community has benefited immensely from the farm.
Cde Sibanda also told VP Mphoko that the local drought relief committee benefited from 200 tonnes of maize that was set aside by Mr Evans for drought relief and the rest was taken to the Grain Marketing Board.
Mr Evans said he was constantly trying to improve his yields by advancing in technology. “We grow maize, potatoes, paprika, soya beans and maize seed. We are constantly trying to increase our yields by advancing in irrigation technology. We also employ 260 local workers and it is working out well,” he said.
He said the farm has for the past years been accommodating interns from Esigodini Agricultural College, Lupane State University and other colleges.
derick.khumalo